Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 188-190 [2015-33149]
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188
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 9—FINAL 2016 GEAR SHARES AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF THE BSAI PACIFIC COD TAC—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
Gear sector
Percent
Trawl catcher vessel ...............................
AFA trawl catcher/processor ...................
Amendment 80 ........................................
Alaska Groundfish Cooperative ..............
Alaska Seafood Cooperative ...................
Jig ............................................................
22.1
........................
........................
2.3
........................
........................
13.4
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
1.4
........................
........................
2016 Share of
gear sector
total
2016 Share of
sector total
49,638
........................
........................
5,166
........................
........................
30,097
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
3,144
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
4,751
........................
........................
25,346
........................
........................
n/a
........................
........................
2016 Seasonal apportionment
Seasons
Jan 20–Apr 1 .............................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .............................
Jun 10–Nov 1 ............................
Jan 20–Apr 1 .............................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .............................
Jun 10–Nov 1 ............................
Jan 20–Apr 1 .............................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .............................
Jun 10–Nov 1 ............................
Jan 20–Apr 1 .............................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .............................
Jun 10–Dec 31 ..........................
Jan 20–Apr 1 .............................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .............................
Jun 10–Dec 31 ..........................
Jan 1–Apr 30 .............................
Apr 30–Aug 31 ...........................
Aug 31–Dec 31 ..........................
Amount
36,732
5,460
7,446
3,874
1,291
0
22,573
7,524
0
3,563
1,188
0
19,010
6,337
0
1,887
629
629
1 The gear shares and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, after the subtraction of CDQ. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the AI or BS is reached, then directed fishing for Pacific cod in that subarea may be prohibited, even if a BSAI allowance remains.
2 The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line
and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt for 2016 based on anticipated incidental catch in these fisheries.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
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
allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocations for pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod in the BSAI
based on the best scientific information
available. NMFS was unable to publish
a notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of December 28, 2015, and additional
time for prior public comment would
result in conservation concerns for the
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
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.
Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested
persons are invited to submit written
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:31 Jan 04, 2016
Jkt 238001
comments on this action to the above
address until January 16, 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: December 30, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–33145 Filed 12–30–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791–4999–02]
RIN 0648–XE383
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2016
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the GOA
pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the
appropriate amounts based on the best
available scientific information for
pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA.
This action is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2016, until the
effective date of the final 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications for GOA
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 20, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2013–0147, by any of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=
NOAA-NMFS-2013-0147, click the
‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the
required fields, and enter or attach your
comments.
• Mail: Address written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
E:\FR\FM\05JAR1.SGM
05JAR1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
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:
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
(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 final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) set the
2016 pollock TAC at 257,178 metric
tons (mt) and the 2016 Pacific cod TAC
at 75,202 mt in the GOA. In December
2015, the North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
recommended a 2016 pollock TAC of
257,872 mt for the GOA, which is more
than the 257,178 mt established by the
final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
GOA. The Council also recommended a
2016 Pacific cod TAC of 71,925 mt for
the GOA, which is less than the 75,202
mt established by the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA. The Council’s
recommended 2016 TACs, and the area
and seasonal apportionments, are based
on the Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation report (SAFE), dated
November 2015, which NMFS has
determined is the best available
scientific information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries and are listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a
principal prey species for Steller sea
lions in the GOA. The seasonal
189
apportionment of pollock and Pacific
cod harvest is necessary to ensure the
groundfish fisheries are not likely to
cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse
modification of critical habitat for
Steller sea lions. The regulations at
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the
pollock TAC will be apportioned. The
regulations at § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i) specify how the Pacific
cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv) the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that, based on the November
2015 SAFE report for this fishery, the
current GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are incorrectly specified.
Consequently, pursuant to
§ 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2016
GOA pollock TAC to 257,872 mt and the
2016 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 71,925
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2015
and 2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250,
February 25, 2015) is revised consistent
with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4
of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) is
revised for the 2016 TACs of pollock in
the Central and Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2016 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GOA;
SEASONAL BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION, AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
Season 1
Shumagin (Area 610)
Chirikof (Area 620)
Kodiak (Area 630)
Total 2
A (Jan 20–Mar 10) ...................................
B (Mar 10–May 31) ..................................
C (Aug 25–Oct 1) .....................................
D (Oct 1–Nov 1) .......................................
3,827
3,826
24,421
24,421
6.41%
6.41%
40.94%
40.94%
43,374
50,747
15,404
15,402
72.71%
85.07%
25.82%
25.82%
12,456
5,083
19,822
19,822
20.88%
8.52%
33.23%
33.23%
59,651
59,651
59,651
59,651
Annual Total ......................................
56,494
....................
124,927
....................
57,183
....................
238,604
1 As
established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10
to May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
2 The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Note: Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual TAC total due to rounding.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
§ 679.20(a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the final
2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:31 Jan 04, 2016
Jkt 238001
groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250,
February 25, 2015) is revised for the
2016 seasonal apportionments and
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
allocation of Pacific cod TAC in the
GOA consistent with this adjustment.
E:\FR\FM\05JAR1.SGM
05JAR1
190
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 6—FINAL 2016 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS FOR THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual
allocation amount]
A Season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Sector
percentage of
annual
non-jig TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual
non-jig TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
992
383
5,417
10,506
657
10,397
N/A
0.70
10.90
27.70
0.90
19.80
595
192
2,982
7,579
246
5,417
N/A
0.70
8.90
10.70
1.50
18.20
397
192
2,435
2,927
410
4,979
Total .......................................................................
28,352
60.00
17,011
40.00
11,341
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line <50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line ≥50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line C/P ........................................................
Trawl CV 1 .....................................................................
Trawl C/P ......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot C/P ................................................
370
5,347
2,456
1,869
15,226
1,537
10,180
N/A
9.32
5.61
4.11
21.14
2.00
17.83
222
3,411
2,054
1,504
7,738
734
6,528
N/A
5.29
1.10
1.00
20.45
2.19
9.97
148
1,936
402
365
7,487
804
3,652
Total .......................................................................
36,984
60.00
22,190
40.00
14,794
Eastern GOA ..................................................
........................
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
6,589
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
5,930
659
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to due to rounding.
Classification
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:31 Jan 04, 2016
Jkt 238001
allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocations for Pacific cod
based on the best scientific information
available. NMFS was unable to publish
a notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of December 28, 2015, and additional
time for prior public comment would
result in conservation concerns for the
ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested
persons are invited to submit written
comments on this action to the above
address until January 20, 2016.
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: December 30, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–33149 Filed 12–30–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\05JAR1.SGM
05JAR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 188-190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33149]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE383
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2016 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total
Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fisheries. This
action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are
incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amounts based on the best available scientific
information for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This action is
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2016,
until the effective date of the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for GOA groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 20, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2013-0147, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0147, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Address written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
[[Page 189]]
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: 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 (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 final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) set the 2016 pollock TAC at
257,178 metric tons (mt) and the 2016 Pacific cod TAC at 75,202 mt in
the GOA. In December 2015, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) recommended a 2016 pollock TAC of 257,872 mt for the GOA,
which is more than the 257,178 mt established by the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council also
recommended a 2016 Pacific cod TAC of 71,925 mt for the GOA, which is
less than the 75,202 mt established by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended
2016 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November
2015, which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific
information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a principal prey species
for Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock
and Pacific cod harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries
are not likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification
of critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will be apportioned. The
regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)
specify how the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2015 SAFE
report for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs
are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2016 GOA
pollock TAC to 257,872 mt and the 2016 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 71,925
mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25,
2015) is revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4 of the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250,
February 25, 2015) is revised for the 2016 TACs of pollock in the
Central and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Table 4--Final 2016 Distribution of Pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Seasonal Biomass Distribution, Area Apportionments;
and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.01]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (Area 610)
Chirikof (Area 620)
Kodiak (Area 630) Total \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (Jan 20-Mar 10)............................................ 3,827 6.41% 43,374 72.71% 12,456 20.88% 59,651
B (Mar 10-May 31)............................................ 3,826 6.41% 50,747 85.07% 5,083 8.52% 59,651
C (Aug 25-Oct 1)............................................. 24,421 40.94% 15,404 25.82% 19,822 33.23% 59,651
D (Oct 1-Nov 1).............................................. 24,421 40.94% 15,402 25.82% 19,822 33.23% 59,651
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total............................................. 56,494 ........... 124,927 ........... 57,183 ........... 238,604
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (iv), the A, B, C, and D season allowances are available from January 20 to March 10, March 10 to
May 31, August 25 to October 1, and October 1 to November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore
components are not shown in this table.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Note: Seasonal allowances may not total precisely to annual TAC total due to rounding.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i),
Table 6 of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) is revised for
the 2016 seasonal apportionments and allocation of Pacific cod TAC in
the GOA consistent with this adjustment.
[[Page 190]]
Table 6--Final 2016 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations for the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton and percentages to the nearest 0.01. Seasonal allowances may not
total precisely to annual allocation amount]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (3.5% of TAC)........... 992 N/A 595 N/A 397
Hook-and-line CV............ 383 0.70 192 0.70 192
Hook-and-line C/P........... 5,417 10.90 2,982 8.90 2,435
Trawl CV.................... 10,506 27.70 7,579 10.70 2,927
Trawl C/P................... 657 0.90 246 1.50 410
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 10,397 19.80 5,417 18.20 4,979
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 28,352 60.00 17,011 40.00 11,341
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 370 N/A 222 N/A 148
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 5,347 9.32 3,411 5.29 1,936
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 2,456 5.61 2,054 1.10 402
Hook-and-line C/P........... 1,869 4.11 1,504 1.00 365
Trawl CV \1\................ 15,226 21.14 7,738 20.45 7,487
Trawl C/P................... 1,537 2.00 734 2.19 804
All Pot CV and Pot C/P...... 10,180 17.83 6,528 9.97 3,652
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 36,984 60.00 22,190 40.00 14,794
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA......... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6,589 5,930
659
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to due to rounding.
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 allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for
Pacific cod based on the best scientific information available. NMFS
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
December 28, 2015, and additional time for prior public comment would
result in conservation concerns for the ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
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.
Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the above address until January 20,
2016.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 30, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-33149 Filed 12-30-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
