Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 42046 [2017-18818]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 6, 2017 / Rules and Regulations
landing transactions and dealer reports
using the paper forms.
For the aforementioned reasons, the
AA also finds good cause to waive the
30-day delay in the effectiveness of this
action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 1, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–18963 Filed 9–1–17; 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–XF653
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear
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; modification of
a closure; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is opening directed
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using trawl gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
to fully use the 2017 total allowable
catch apportioned to catcher/processors
using trawl gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2017,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1,
2017. Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., September 15, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2016–0127,
by either of the following methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20160127, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
nlaroche on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:36 Sep 05, 2017
Jkt 241001
Instructions: NMFS may not consider
comments if they are sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the
comment period ends. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and NMFS will post the comments for
public viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender is
publicly accessible. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in
the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 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.
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, 2017,
pursuant to the final 2017 and 2018
harvest specifications for groundfish of
the Gulf of Alaska (82 FR 12032,
February 27, 2017).
NMFS has determined that as of
August 29, 2017, approximately 970
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the
2017 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 2017
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
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
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 29, 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.
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 15, 2017.
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 30, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017–18818 Filed 8–31–17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\06SER1.SGM
06SER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 6, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18818]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF653
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear 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; modification of a closure; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/
processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2017 total
allowable catch apportioned to catcher/processors using trawl gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2017, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, 2017. Comments must be
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t.,
September 15, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, by
either of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau,
AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public
record and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/
A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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. 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 Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 1, 2017, pursuant to the final 2017 and
2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (82 FR
12032, February 27, 2017).
NMFS has determined that as of August 29, 2017, approximately 970
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2017 Pacific cod apportionment
for catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area
of the GOA. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i),
(a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2017 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 29, 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.
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 Sec. 679.25(c)(2),
interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this
action to the above address until September 15, 2017.
This action is required by Sec. 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 30, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18818 Filed 8-31-17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P