Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, 12829-12831 [2016-05537]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: March 8, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–05552 Filed 3–8–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02]
RIN 0648–XE494
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
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 catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the A season
apportionment of the 2016 Pacific cod
total allowable catch allocated to trawl
catcher vessels in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), March 9, 2016,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 1,
2016.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(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.
The A season apportionment of the
2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch
(TAC) allocated to trawl catcher vessels
in the BSAI is 36,732 metric tons (mt)
as established by the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
March 5, 2015) and inseason adjustment
(81 FR 184, January 5, 2016).
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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15:58 Mar 10, 2016
Jkt 238001
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the A season
apportionment of the 2016 Pacific cod
TAC allocated to trawl catcher vessels
in the BSAI will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 36,000 mt and is setting
aside the remaining 732 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
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
BSAI.
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) and § 679.25(c)(1)(ii) 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 for Pacific
cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear
in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of March 7, 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 § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 8, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–05528 Filed 3–8–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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12829
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 141021887–5172–02]
RIN 0648–XE495
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation pollock directed fishing
allowance from the Aleutian Islands
subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This
action is necessary to provide
opportunity for harvest of the 2016 total
allowable catch of pollock, consistent
with the goals and objectives of the
Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), March 11, 2016 through
2400 hrs Alaska Local time, December
31, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council (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.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the
portion of the 2016 pollock total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the
Aleut Corporation directed fishing
allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2015 and
2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR 11919,
March 5, 2015), and as adjusted by an
inseason adjustment (81 FR 184, January
5, 2016).
As of March 4, 2016, the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has
determined that 5,000 mt of the Aleut
Corporation pollock DFA in the
SUMMARY:
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12830
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
Aleutian Islands subarea will not be
harvested. Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS
reallocates 1,991 mt of A season pollock
DFA and 3,009 mt of B season pollock
DFA from the Aleutian Islands subarea
to the 2016 Bering Sea subarea DFAs.
The 5,000 mt of the Aleut Corporation
pollock DFA is added to the 2016 Bering
Sea non-CDQ DFAs. As a result, the
2016 harvest specifications for pollock
in the Aleutian Islands subarea included
in the final 2015 and 2016 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015), and
as adjusted by an inseason adjustment
(81 FR 184, January 5, 2016) are revised
as follows: 9,700 mt to the annual Aleut
Corporation pollock DFA and 9,700 mt
to the A season Aleut Corporation
pollock DFA. Furthermore, pursuant to
§ 679.20(a)(5), Table 5 of the final 2015
and 2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands (80 FR 11919, March 5,
2015, and 81 FR 184, January 5, 2016),
is revised to make 2016 pollock
allocations consistent with this
reallocation. This reallocation results in
adjustments to the 2016 pollock
allocations established at § 679.20(a)(5).
TABLE 5—FINAL 2016 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2016 A season 1
2016
allocations
Area and sector
Bering Sea subarea TAC 1 ..............................................................................
CDQ DFA .........................................................................................................
ICA 1 .................................................................................................................
AFA Inshore .....................................................................................................
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ...............................................................................
Catch by C/Ps ..........................................................................................
Catch by CVs 3 .........................................................................................
Unlisted C/P Limit 4 ...................................................................................
AFA Motherships .............................................................................................
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 ............................................................................
Excessive Processing Limit 6 ...........................................................................
Total Bering Sea DFA .....................................................................................
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC .........................................................................
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC 1 .......................................................................
CDQ DFA .........................................................................................................
ICA ...................................................................................................................
Aleut Corporation .............................................................................................
Area harvest limit 7
541 ............................................................................................................
542 ............................................................................................................
543 ............................................................................................................
Bogoslof District ICA 8 ......................................................................................
A season DFA
2016
B season 1
SCA harvest
limit 2
B season DFA
1,346,900
135,900
48,240
581,380
465,104
425,570
39,534
2,326
116,276
203,816
349,398
1,162,760
32,227
12,100
0
2,400
9,700
n/a
54,360
n/a
232,552
186,042
170,228
15,814
930
46,510
n/a
n/a
465,104
n/a
n/a
0
1,200
9,700
n/a
38,052
n/a
162,786
130,229
n/a
n/a
n/a
32,557
n/a
n/a
325,573
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
81,540
n/a
348,828
279,062
255,342
23,720
1,395
69,766
n/a
n/a
697,656
n/a
n/a
0
1,200
0
9,668
4,834
1,611
500
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the ICA (4.0 percent), is allocated
as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (C/P)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the BS
subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is allocated to the A season (January 20–June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June
10–November 1). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A
season is allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery.
2 In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector’s annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before April 1.
3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/processors shall be available for harvest
only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/processors.
4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/
processors sector’s allocation of pollock.
5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
7 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 no more than 30 percent, in
Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
8 The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for ICA only and
are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:58 Mar 10, 2016
Jkt 238001
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 Aleutian Island
subarea pollock. Since the pollock
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fishery is currently underway, it is
important to immediately inform the
industry as to the final Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands pollock allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of this fishery; allow
the industry to plan for the fishing
season and avoid potential disruption to
E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM
11MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 48 / Friday, March 11, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
the fishing fleet as well as processors;
and provide opportunity to harvest
increased seasonal pollock allocations
while value is optimum. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became
available as March 4, 2016.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:58 Mar 10, 2016
Jkt 238001
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 § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Dated: March 8, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–05537 Filed 3–10–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
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12831
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12829-12831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05537]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 141021887-5172-02]
RIN 0648-XE495
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of the Aleut
Corporation pollock directed fishing allowance from the Aleutian
Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to
provide opportunity for harvest of the 2016 total allowable catch of
pollock, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 11, 2016
through 2400 hrs Alaska Local time, December 31, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(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.
In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the portion of the 2016 pollock
total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the Aleut Corporation directed
fishing allowance (DFA) is 14,700 metric tons (mt) as established by
the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (80 FR 11919, March 5, 2015), and as adjusted by an inseason
adjustment (81 FR 184, January 5, 2016).
As of March 4, 2016, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
(Regional Administrator) has determined that 5,000 mt of the Aleut
Corporation pollock DFA in the
[[Page 12830]]
Aleutian Islands subarea will not be harvested. Therefore, in
accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS reallocates 1,991
mt of A season pollock DFA and 3,009 mt of B season pollock DFA from
the Aleutian Islands subarea to the 2016 Bering Sea subarea DFAs. The
5,000 mt of the Aleut Corporation pollock DFA is added to the 2016
Bering Sea non-CDQ DFAs. As a result, the 2016 harvest specifications
for pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea included in the final 2015
and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (80 FR
11919, March 5, 2015), and as adjusted by an inseason adjustment (81 FR
184, January 5, 2016) are revised as follows: 9,700 mt to the annual
Aleut Corporation pollock DFA and 9,700 mt to the A season Aleut
Corporation pollock DFA. Furthermore, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5),
Table 5 of the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (80 FR 11919, March
5, 2015, and 81 FR 184, January 5, 2016), is revised to make 2016
pollock allocations consistent with this reallocation. This
reallocation results in adjustments to the 2016 pollock allocations
established at Sec. 679.20(a)(5).
Table 5--Final 2016 Allocations of Pollock TACS to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016 A season \1\ 2016 B season
2016 -------------------------------- \1\
Area and sector allocations SCA harvest ---------------
A season DFA limit \2\ B season DFA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...................... 1,346,900 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 135,900 54,360 38,052 81,540
ICA \1\......................................... 48,240 n/a n/a n/a
AFA Inshore..................................... 581,380 232,552 162,786 348,828
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................... 465,104 186,042 130,229 279,062
Catch by C/Ps............................... 425,570 170,228 n/a 255,342
Catch by CVs \3\............................ 39,534 15,814 n/a 23,720
Unlisted C/P Limit \4\...................... 2,326 930 n/a 1,395
AFA Motherships................................. 116,276 46,510 32,557 69,766
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................. 203,816 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................. 349,398 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea DFA............................ 1,162,760 465,104 325,573 697,656
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.................... 32,227 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\................ 12,100 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 0 0 n/a 0
ICA............................................. 2,400 1,200 n/a 1,200
Aleut Corporation............................... 9,700 9,700 n/a 0
Area harvest limit \7\
541......................................... 9,668 n/a n/a n/a
542......................................... 4,834 n/a n/a n/a
543......................................... 1,611 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA \8\....................... 500 n/a n/a n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the BS subarea pollock, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent)
and the ICA (4.0 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: Inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/processor
sector (C/P)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10 percent. In the BS subarea, 40 percent of the DFA is
allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10) and 60 percent of the DFA is allocated to the B season (June 10-
November 1). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after
subtracting first for the CDQ directed fishing allowance (10 percent) and second the ICA (2,400 mt), is
allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the AI subarea, the A season is
allocated 40 percent of the ABC and the B season is allocated the remainder of the pollock directed fishery.
\2\ In the BS subarea, no more than 28 percent of each sector's annual DFA may be taken from the SCA before
April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), not less than 8.5 percent of the DFA allocated to listed catcher/
processors shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels delivering to listed catcher/
processors.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the AFA unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting
not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processors sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
Area 541 no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 no more than 5 percent
of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\8\ The Bogoslof District is closed by the final harvest specifications to directed fishing for pollock. The
amounts specified are for ICA only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely 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 delay the reallocation of Aleutian Island subarea pollock. Since
the pollock fishery is currently underway, it is important to
immediately inform the industry as to the final Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands pollock allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery;
allow the industry to plan for the fishing season and avoid potential
disruption to
[[Page 12831]]
the fishing fleet as well as processors; and provide opportunity to
harvest increased seasonal pollock allocations while value is optimum.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as March
4, 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 8, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05537 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
