Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 11452-11453 [2016-04809]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
1,102,896 lb (500,265 kg) for Gulf
migratory group king mackerel in the
Florida east coast subzone (50 CFR
622.384(b)(1)(i)(A)). From November 1
through March 31, the Florida east coast
subzone encompasses an area of the EEZ
south of a line extending due east of the
boundary between Flagler and Volusia
Counties, FL, and north of a line
extending due east of the boundary
between Miami-Dade and Monroe
Counties, FL. From November 1 through
the end of February, king mackerel in or
from the subzone may be possessed on
board or landed from a permitted vessel
in amounts not exceeding 50 fish per
day (50 CFR 622.385(a)(2)(i)(A)).
However, beginning on March 1, if
less than 70 percent of the Florida east
coast subzone king mackerel
commercial quota has been harvested by
that date, king mackerel in or from that
subzone may be possessed on board or
landed from a permitted vessel in
amounts not exceeding 75 fish per day
(50 CFR 622.385(a)(2)(i)(B)(2)).
NMFS has determined that less than
70 percent of the quota for Gulf
migratory group king mackerel in the
Florida east coast subzone will be
harvested by March 1, 2016.
Accordingly, a 75-fish trip limit applies
to vessels fishing for king mackerel in or
from the EEZ in the Florida east coast
subzone effective 12:01 a.m., local time,
March 1, 2016. The 75-fish trip limit
will remain in effect until the
commercial quota is reached and the
subzone closes, or until the end of the
subzone’s current fishing year on March
31, 2016.
Classification
The Regional Administrator,
Southeast Region, NMFS, has
determined this temporary rule is
necessary for the conservation and
management of Gulf migratory group
king mackerel and is consistent with the
Magnuson-Stevens Act and other
applicable laws.
This action is taken under 50 CFR
622.385(a)(2)(i)(B)(2) and is exempt
from review under Executive Order
12866.
These measures are exempt from the
procedures of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act because the temporary rule is issued
without opportunity for prior notice and
comment.
This action responds to the best
scientific information available. The
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds that the need to
immediately implement this
commercial trip limit increase
constitutes good cause to waive the
requirements to provide prior notice
and opportunity for public comment
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:44 Mar 03, 2016
Jkt 238001
pursuant to the authority set forth in 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because prior notice
and opportunity for public comment on
this temporary rule is unnecessary and
contrary to the public interest. Such
procedures are unnecessary because the
rule establishing the trip limits has
already been subject to notice and
comment, and all that remains is to
notify the public of the trip limit
increase. Such procedures are contrary
to the public interest, because prior
notice and opportunity for public
comment would require time, thus
delaying fishermen’s ability to catch
more king mackerel than the present
trip limit allows and preventing
fishermen from reaping the
socioeconomic benefits associated with
this increased trip limit.
As this action allows fishermen to
increase their harvest of king mackerel
from 50 fish to 75 fish per day in or
from the EEZ of the Florida east coast
subzone, the AA finds it relieves a
restriction and may go into effect
without a 30-day delay in effectiveness,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 1, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–04798 Filed 3–1–16; 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–XE482
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central
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 vessels using
jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2016 Pacific
cod total allowable catch apportioned to
vessels using jig gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), March 1, 2016,
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4700
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through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
2016.
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 2016
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
apportioned to vessels using jig gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
is 222 metric tons (mt), as established by
the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and
inseason adjustment (81 FR 188, January
5, 2016).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2016 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to vessels using jig gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 217 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 5 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
vessels using jig gear in the Central
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.
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
E:\FR\FM\04MRR1.SGM
04MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 43 / Friday, March 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 for vessels using jig gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data
VerDate Sep<11>2014
13:44 Mar 03, 2016
Jkt 238001
only became available as of February 29,
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.
PO 00000
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: March 1, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–04809 Filed 3–1–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Fmt 4700
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11452-11453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04809]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE482
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central 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
vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch
apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 1, 2016,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016.
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 2016 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 222 metric tons (mt), as established by
the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of the
GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015) and inseason adjustment (81 FR
188, January 5, 2016).
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 2016 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using jig
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 217 mt and is setting aside the remaining 5 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
vessels using jig gear in the Central 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
[[Page 11453]]
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 for
vessels using jig gear in the Central 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
February 29, 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 Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 1, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04809 Filed 3-1-16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
