Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 61143-61144 [2016-21315]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 6, 2016 / Rules and Regulations ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES 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 Central Regulatory Area of the GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 1, 2016 pursuant to the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016). NMFS has determined that as of August 30, 2016, approximately 1,171 metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2016 Pacific cod apportionment for catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central 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 Central 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 Central 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 Central 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 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 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 August 30, 2016. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Sep 02, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance 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 September 21, 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: August 31, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–21316 Filed 8–31–16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 61143 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 2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for AFA trawl C/Ps in the BSAI is 5,166 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). The Regional Administrator has determined that AFA trawl C/Ps will not be able to harvest 500 mt of the remaining 2016 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 500 mt of Pacific cod to Amendment 80 C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016) are revised as follows: 4,666 mt to AFA trawl C/Ps and 30,597 mt to Amendment 80 C/Ps. 50 CFR Part 679 Classification [Docket No. 150916863–6211–02] 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 Pacific cod specified from AFA trawl C/Ps to Amendment 80 C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most RIN 0648–XE851 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. AGENCY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors (C/Ps) to Amendment 80 C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: Effective August 31, 2016, through 2400 hrs., Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1 61144 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 172 / Tuesday, September 6, 2016 / Rules and Regulations ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES recent, relevant data only became available as of August 26, 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:06 Sep 02, 2016 Jkt 238001 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. PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 Dated: August 31, 2016. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–21315 Filed 8–31–16; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM 06SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61143-61144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21315]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150916863-6211-02]
RIN 0648-XE851


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific 
cod from American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors (C/Ps) 
to Amendment 80 C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area. This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch 
of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES: Effective August 31, 2016, through 2400 hrs., Alaska local time 
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 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 2016 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for AFA 
trawl C/Ps in the BSAI is 5,166 metric tons (mt) as established by the 
final 2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(81 FR 14773, March 18, 2016). The Regional Administrator has 
determined that AFA trawl C/Ps will not be able to harvest 500 mt of 
the remaining 2016 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under 
Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 
500 mt of Pacific cod to Amendment 80 C/Ps in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area.
    The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final 
2016 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (81 FR 14773, 
March 18, 2016) are revised as follows: 4,666 mt to AFA trawl C/Ps and 
30,597 mt to Amendment 80 C/Ps.

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 Pacific cod specified from AFA trawl C/
Ps to Amendment 80 C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area. Since these fisheries are currently open, it is 
important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised 
allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the 
orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the 
industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential 
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable 
to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most

[[Page 61144]]

recent, relevant data only became available as of August 26, 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: August 31, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21315 Filed 8-31-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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