Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 71641-71642 [2016-25140]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 201 / Tuesday, October 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
immediate action to be effective on the
fishing grounds and thus efficiently
manage the fishery. NMFS could not
effectively react to this data if, in
implementing the retention limit, it
allowed a public comment period,
which, for both the quota transfers,
would preclude fishermen from
harvesting BFT that are legally available
consistent with all of the regulatory
criteria.
Delays in adjusting the retention limit
may result in the available quota being
exceeded and NMFS needing to close
the fishery earlier than otherwise would
be necessary under a lower limit. This
could adversely affect those General and
HMS Charter/Headboat category vessels
that would otherwise have an
opportunity to harvest BFT under
retention limits set in response to the
most recent data available. Limited
opportunities to harvest the respective
quotas may have negative social and
economic impacts for U.S. fishermen
that depend upon catching the available
quota within the time periods
designated in the 2006 Consolidated
HMS FMP, as amended. Adjustment of
the retention limit needs to be effective
as soon as possible to extend fishing
opportunities for fishermen in
geographic areas with access to the
fishery only during this time period.
Therefore, the AA finds good cause
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior
notice and the opportunity for public
comment. For these reasons, there is
good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness.
This action is being taken under
§§ 635.23(a)(4) and 635.27(a)(9), and is
exempt from review under Executive
Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
Dated: October 14, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–25309 Filed 10–14–16; 4:15 pm]
Lhorne on DSK30JT082PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 160301164–6694–02]
RIN 0648–XE955
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Northeast Skate Complex;
Adjustment to the Skate Bait Inseason
Possession Limit
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment.
AGENCY:
We announce the reduction of
the commercial per-trip skate bait
possession limit from 25,000 lb (11,340
kg) to 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole weight
through October 31, 2016. This action is
required to prevent the skate bait Season
2 quota from being exceeded. This
announcement informs the public that
the skate bait possession limit is
reduced.
DATES: Effective October 17, 2016,
through October 31, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William Whitmore, Fishery Policy
Analyst, 978–281–9182.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
The bait skate fishery is managed
primarily through the Northeast Skate
Complex Fishery Management Plan. The
regulations describing the process to
adjust inseason commercial possession
limits of skate bait are described at 50
CFR 648.322(b) and (d). When the
National Marine Fisheries Service
Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic
Region projects that 90 percent of the
skate bait fishery seasonal quota has
been landed, the Regional Administrator
is required to reduce the skate bait trip
limit unless such a reduction would be
expected to prevent attainment of the
seasonal quota or annual TAL. The
current skate bait trip limit is 25,000 lb
(11,340 kg) and the current skate wing
trip limit is 9,307 lb (4,222 kg) whole
weight, 4,100 lb (1,860 kg) skate wings.
Inseason Action
Based on commercial landings data
reported through October 1, 2016, the
skate bait fishery is projected to reach or
exceed 90 percent of the Season 2 quota
on or around October 15, 2016. Further,
catch projections indicate that retaining
the current skate bait possession limits
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71641
would result in 109 percent of the
Season 2 quota being harvested.
Additional projections indicate that the
annual TAL is likely to be attained in
Season 3, even with this season 2
possession limit reduction. Therefore,
consistent with § 648.322(b) and (d) we
are reducing the skate wing trip limit
from 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) to 9,307 lb
(4,222 kg) whole weight [4,100 lb (1,860
kg) skate wings] to prevent the season 2
quota from being exceeded. Beginning
October 17, 2016, no person may
possess on board or land more than
9,307 lb (4,222 kg) of skate bait per trip
for the remainder of Season 2 (i.e.,
through October 31, 2016). The 25,000
lb (11,340 kg) skate bait trip limit is
reinstated on November 1, 2016, the
start of Season 3.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR
part 648 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 13, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–25139 Filed 10–13–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742–6210–02]
RIN 0648–XE966
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch
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 retention
of the incidental catch allowance for
Pacific Ocean perch in the Central
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary because
the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific
Ocean perch apportioned to the
incidental catch allowance in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has
been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), October 14, 2016,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2016.
SUMMARY:
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71642
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 201 / Tuesday, October 18, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
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 2016 total allowable catch (TAC)
of Pacific Ocean perch apportioned to
the incidental catch allowance in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is
1,500 metric tons (mt) as established by
the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(81 FR 14740; March 18, 2016).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that the 2016 TAC of Pacific
Ocean perch apportioned to the
incidental catch allowance in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is
requiring that catches of the incidental
catch allowance for Pacific ocean perch
in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA be treated as prohibited species in
accordance with § 679.21(b). This
closure does not apply to fishing by
vessels participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program for the
Central GOA.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 prohibiting retention of the
incidental catch allowance for Pacific
Ocean perch 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 October 12, 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
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12:31 Oct 17, 2016
Jkt 241001
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
This action is required by § 679.20
and § 679.21 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 13, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–25140 Filed 10–13–16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742–6210–02]
RIN 0648–XE967
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish 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 retention
of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear
and not participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program in the
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
because the 2016 total allowable catch
of sablefish allocated to vessels using
trawl gear and not participating in the
cooperative fishery of the Rockfish
Program in the Central Regulatory Area
of the GOA has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), October 14, 2016,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
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 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 2016 total allowable catch (TAC)
of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear
SUMMARY:
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and not participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is
391 metric tons (mt) as established by
the final 2016 and 2017 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(81 FR 14740, March 18, 2016).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that the 2016 TAC of
sablefish by vessels using trawl gear and
not participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is
requiring that sablefish by vessels using
trawl gear and not participating in the
cooperative fishery of the Rockfish
Program in the Central Regulatory Area
of the GOA be treated as prohibited
species in accordance with § 679.21(b).
This closure does not apply to fishing
by vessels participating in the
cooperative fishery of the Rockfish
Program for the Central Regulatory Area
of the GOA.
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 prohibiting the retention of
sablefish by vessels using trawl gear and
not participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program 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 October 12,
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 § 679.21 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
E:\FR\FM\18OCR1.SGM
18OCR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 18, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71641-71642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25140]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 150818742-6210-02]
RIN 0648-XE966
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch 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 retention of the incidental catch
allowance for Pacific Ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2016 total
allowable catch of Pacific Ocean perch apportioned to the incidental
catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been
reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 14,
2016, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2016.
[[Page 71642]]
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 2016 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific Ocean perch
apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA is 1,500 metric tons (mt) as established by the final
2016 and 2017 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (81 FR
14740; March 18, 2016).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2016 TAC
of Pacific Ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore,
NMFS is requiring that catches of the incidental catch allowance for
Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b). This
closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the
cooperative fishery of the Rockfish Program for the Central GOA.
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 prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for
Pacific Ocean perch 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 October 12,
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 Sec. 679.21 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 13, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25140 Filed 10-13-16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
