Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska, 26745-26746 [2016-10444]
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asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
ft (14.0 m) LOA using hook-and-line
gear when groundfish CDQ fishing and
to the CDQ groups authorizing the
operators of these vessels to harvest
groundfish CDQ or halibut CDQ.
(B) Halibut CDQ or halibut IFQ. If any
halibut CDQ or halibut IFQ are retained
during a fishing trip on board a vessel
described in paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(A) of
this section, the following requirements
apply:
(1) The vessel operator must retain all
legal-size halibut caught during that
entire fishing trip.
(2) The vessel operator must have
sufficient halibut IFQ or halibut CDQ
available to account for the catch of all
legal-size halibut caught during the
entire fishing trip.
(3) If the vessel operator is relying on
halibut CDQ from a CDQ group to
support the retained catch of legal-size
halibut during a fishing trip, the CDQ
group must provide adequate halibut
CDQ to this vessel operator to account
for all of the legal-size halibut caught by
the vessel during the entire fishing trip.
(C) Halibut PSC. If halibut CDQ or
halibut IFQ are not retained during a
fishing trip on board a vessel described
in paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(A) of this section,
the following requirements apply:
(1) The vessel operator must discard
all halibut caught during the fishing
trip.
(2) Small catcher vessel halibut PSC
limit. The CDQ group representative
may transfer halibut from a CDQ group’s
halibut PSQ to its small catcher vessel
halibut PSC limit. To do so, the CDQ
representative must submit a transfer
request using the procedures described
in § 679.5(n). In reviewing a request to
transfer halibut PSQ to a CDQ group’s
small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit,
NMFS will consider whether the
amount of halibut to be transferred to
the small catcher vessel halibut PSC
limit is sufficient to support groundfish
CDQ fishing by the catcher vessels that
the CDQ group plans to authorize to
conduct groundfish CDQ fishing. The
transfer is not effective until approved
by NMFS. The CDQ group
representative also may transfer halibut
from a CDQ group’s small catcher vessel
halibut PSC limit back to its halibut
PSQ by submitting a transfer request
using the procedures described in
§ 679.5(n). In reviewing a request to
transfer halibut from the small catcher
vessel halibut PSC limit back to the
CDQ group’s halibut PSQ, NMFS will
consider the status of CDQ fisheries
through the end of the year and
anticipated halibut PSC rates for any
remaining groundfish CDQ fishing by
vessels managed under the small
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17:12 May 03, 2016
Jkt 238001
catcher vessel halibut PSC limit for the
requesting CDQ group.
(3) Fishery closures. Directed fishing
for groundfish CDQ, except sablefish
CDQ managed under paragraph (c)(1) of
this section, by catcher vessels less than
or equal to 46 ft LOA using hook-andline gear is prohibited unless the
Regional Administrator publishes
notification in the Federal Register
authorizing such directed fishing. In
deciding whether to authorize directed
fishing, NMFS will consider whether a
CDQ group has sufficient halibut in its
small catcher vessel halibut PSC limit to
support directed fishing for groundfish
CDQ by these catcher vessels. Upon
determining that a CDQ group’s small
catcher vessel halibut PSC limit has
been or will be reached, the Regional
Administrator will publish notification
in the Federal Register prohibiting
directed fishing for all groundfish CDQ
species, except sablefish CDQ, by
catcher vessels less than or equal to 46
ft LOA using hook-and-line gear fishing
for that CDQ group. If the estimated
halibut PSC by vessels described in
paragraph (c)(3)(iii)(A) of this section
exceeds the balance of the small catcher
vessel halibut PSC limit on December 31
of any year, and if the CDQ group has
remaining halibut PSQ on that date,
NMFS will transfer an amount of
halibut PSQ into the CDQ group’s small
catcher vessel halibut PSC limit to bring
the balance of the small catcher vessel
halibut PSC limit to zero. NMFS will
make the determination about whether
such an administrative transfer is
necessary after data from the fishing
year is finalized.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 6. In § 679.51:
■ a. Remove the introductory text;
■ b. In paragraphs (a)(1)(i)(A) and (B)
remove ‘‘or’’ and in paragraph
(a)(1)(i)(C) remove the period and add in
its place ‘‘; or’’;
■ c. Add paragraph (a)(1)(i)(D);
■ d. Revise paragraph (a)(2)(i)(C)(2); and
■ e. Remove paragraph (f).
The addition and revision read as
follows:
§ 679.51 Observer requirements for
vessels and plants.
(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * *
(D) A catcher vessel less than or equal
to 46 ft LOA using hook-and-line gear
when groundfish CDQ fishing under
§ 679.32(c)(3)(iii).
*
*
*
*
*
(2) * * *
(i) * * *
(C) * * *
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Fmt 4700
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26745
(2) Using trawl gear or hook-and-line
gear when groundfish CDQ fishing (see
§ 679.2), except for catcher vessels less
than or equal to 46 ft LOA using hookand-line gear when groundfish CDQ
fishing under § 679.32(c)(3)(iii); or
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2016–10356 Filed 5–3–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742–6210–02]
RIN 0648–XE604
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive
Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species
Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in
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 species that comprise the
deep-water species fishery by vessels
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary because
the second seasonal apportionment of
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the deep-water species
fishery in the GOA has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), April 30, 2016,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., May 15,
2016.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
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.
The second seasonal apportionment
of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the deep-water species
fishery in the GOA is 256 metric tons as
established by the final 2016 and 2017
harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016),
for the period 1200 hours, A.l.t., April
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM
04MYR1
26746
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 86 / Wednesday, May 4, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., July
1, 2016.
In accordance with § 679.21(d)(6)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, has determined that the second
seasonal apportionment of the Pacific
halibut bycatch allowance specified for
the trawl deep-water species fishery in
the GOA has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for the deep-water
species fishery by vessels using trawl
gear in the GOA. The species and
species groups that comprise the deepwater species fishery include sablefish,
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole,
and arrowtooth flounder. This closure
does not apply to fishing by vessels
participating in the cooperative fishery
in the Rockfish Program for the Central
GOA.
After the effective date of this closure
the maximum retainable amounts at
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:12 May 03, 2016
Jkt 238001
§ 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
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 the deep-water
species fishery by vessels using trawl
gear in the GOA. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of April 28, 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.
Dated: April 29, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–10444 Filed 4–29–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\04MYR1.SGM
04MYR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26745-26746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10444]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742-6210-02]
RIN 0648-XE604
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water
Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in 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 species that comprise
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal
apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for
the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 30,
2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., May 15, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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.
The second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch
allowance specified for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA is
256 metric tons as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016),
for the period 1200 hours, A.l.t., April
[[Page 26746]]
1, 2016, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., July 1, 2016.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(6)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-
water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS
is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep-water species fishery by
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups
that comprise the deep-water species fishery include sablefish,
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder. This
closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the
cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Program for the Central 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 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 the deep-water species fishery by vessels
using trawl gear in 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 April 28, 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. 679.21 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 29, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10444 Filed 4-29-16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
