Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 6460-6461 [2016-02394]
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6460
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
March 5, 2015).
In accordance with § 679.64(a)(2) and
(3), the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the sideboard limit of
red king crab in Zone 1 specified for the
AFA catcher processors in the BSAI will
be caught. Therefore, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing with trawl
gear in Zone 1, other than pelagic trawl
gear for walleye pollock, by AFA trawl
catcher processors in the BSAI.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Classification
AGENCY:
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 closure of directed fishing
with trawl gear, other than pelagic trawl
gear for walleye pollock, by AFA trawl
catcher processors in Zone 1 of the
BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
notification providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of February 1, 2016.
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 § 679.21
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Dated: February 3, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–02391 Filed 2–3–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:19 Feb 05, 2016
Jkt 238001
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791–4999–02]
RIN 0648–XE426
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher/Processors Using Trawl 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; modification of
a closure.
NMFS is opening directed
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using trawl gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
to fully use the A season allowance of
the 2016 total allowable catch
apportioned to catcher/processors using
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), February 4, 2016,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
2016. Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., February 23, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2014–0118, 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-20140118, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• 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
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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
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.
NMFS closed directed fishing for
Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA under
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 1, 2016
pursuant to the final 2015 and 2016
harvest specifications for groundfish of
the Gulf of Alaska (80 FR 10250,
February 25, 2015) and inseason
adjustment (81 FR 188, January 5, 2016).
NMFS has determined that as of
February 1, 2016, approximately 200
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the
A season allowance of the 2016 Pacific
cod apportionment for catcher/
processors using trawl gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2016
total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific
cod in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is opening
directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher/processors using trawl gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA. The Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator)
considered the following factors in
reaching this decision: (1) The current
catch of Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using trawl gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated
intent on future harvesting patterns of
vessels in participating in this fishery.
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
E:\FR\FM\08FER1.SGM
08FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 25 / Monday, February 8, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 opening of directed fishing for
Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:19 Feb 05, 2016
Jkt 238001
publish a notification providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of February 1, 2016.
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
Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA to be harvested in an
expedient manner and in accordance
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
6461
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
February 23, 2016.
This action is required by § 679.25
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 3, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–02394 Filed 2–3–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\08FER1.SGM
08FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6460-6461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02394]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE426
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl 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; modification of a closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season
allowance of the 2016 total allowable catch apportioned to catcher/
processors using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 4,
2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016. Comments must be
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t.,
February 23, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2014-0118, 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-2014-0118, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
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: 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.
NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors
using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA under Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 1, 2016 pursuant to the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (80 FR
10250, February 25, 2015) and inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January
5, 2016).
NMFS has determined that as of February 1, 2016, approximately 200
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the A season allowance of the 2016
Pacific cod apportionment for catcher/processors using trawl gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully
use the 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure
and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors
using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. The
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) considered
the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch
of Pacific cod by catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated
intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in participating in
this fishery.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained
[[Page 6461]]
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
opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable
to publish a notification providing time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became available as of February 1,
2016.
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 Pacific cod by catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested in an expedient manner and
in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2),
interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this
action to the above address until February 23, 2016.
This action is required by Sec. 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 3, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-02394 Filed 2-3-16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
