Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 41568-41569 [2017-18607]

Download as PDF sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES 41568 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 169 / Friday, September 1, 2017 / Rules and Regulations reflect the underharvest of pollock in those areas during the B season. In addition, any underharvest remaining beyond 20 percent of the originally specified seasonal apportionment in a particular area may be further apportioned to other statistical areas. Therefore, NMFS also is increasing the C season apportionment of pollock to Statistical Areas 610 and 630 based on the underharvest of pollock in Statistical Areas 620 of the GOA. These adjustments are described below. The C seasonal apportionment of the 2017 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 19,569 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032; February 27, 2017). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby increases the C season apportionment for Statistical Area 610 by 3,914 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 610 and 620 in the B season. This increase is in proportion to the estimated pollock biomass and is not greater than 20 percent of the C seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 610. Therefore, the revised C seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 is 23,483 mt (19,569 mt plus 3,914 mt). The C seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is 12,341 mt as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Regional Administrator hereby increases the C seasonal apportionment for Statistical Area 620 by 2,468 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 620 in the B season. This increase is not greater than 20 percent of the C seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 620. Therefore, the revised C seasonal apportionment of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is 14,809 mt (12,341 mt plus 2,468 mt). The C seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 15,886 mt as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the Regional Administrator hereby increases the C seasonal apportionment for Statistical Area 630 by 3,177 mt to account for the underharvest of the TAC in Statistical Areas 620 and 630 in the B season. This increase is in proportion to the estimated pollock biomass and is not greater than 20 percent of the C VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Aug 31, 2017 Jkt 241001 seasonal apportionment of the TAC in Statistical Area 630. Therefore, the revised C seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 19,063 mt (15,886 mt plus 3,177 mt). 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 provide opportunity to harvest increased pollock seasonal apportionments. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of August 25, 2017. 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: August 29, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–18575 Filed 8–29–17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 160920866–7167–02] RIN 0648–XF671 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: PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 2017 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.), August 29, 2017, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2017. 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 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,000 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2017 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. SUMMARY: 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 E:\FR\FM\01SER1.SGM 01SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 169 / Friday, September 1, 2017 / Rules and Regulations sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES 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 August 22, 2017. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Aug 31, 2017 Jkt 241001 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. PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 41569 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 29, 2017. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–18607 Filed 8–29–17; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\01SER1.SGM 01SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41568-41569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18607]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF671


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.

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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 2017 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.), August 29, 
2017, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2017.

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 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch 
apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA is 2,000 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 
12032, February 27, 2017).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2017 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

[[Page 41569]]

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 August 22, 2017.
    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: August 29, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18607 Filed 8-29-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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