Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Correction, 43503 [2017-19628]

Download as PDF sradovich on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 179 / Monday, September 18, 2017 / Rules and Regulations tuna annual catch and measures the annual catch data against the applicable available quotas. Delaying the effective date of these quota adjustments would complicate the management of the northern albacore, North and South Atlantic swordfish, and bluefin tuna fisheries, all of which rely on management flexibility to respond quickly to fishery conditions to ensure that fishermen have a reasonable opportunity to catch the available quotas. For example, under the northern albacore fishery closure regulations, NMFS must close the fishery when the annual fishery quota is reached. Closure of the fishery based only on the baseline (codified) quota versus the adjusted northern albacore quota could preclude the fishery from harvesting northern albacore that are legally available consistent with the ICCAT recommendations and the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP, as amended. Adjusting the North and South Atlantic swordfish quota allows the United States to comply with the ICCAT allowance to carry over quota underharvest and the obligation of international quota transfers. Adjusting the bluefin tuna Reserve category as soon as possible provides NMFS the flexibility to transfer quota from the Reserve to other fishing categories inseason after considering the regulatory determination criteria, including fishery conditions at the time of the transfer. The amount of quota currently in the Reserve category is relatively low, and NMFS may need to transfer quota soon in order to reduce the likelihood of fishery closure during the September or subsequent subquota time periods. NMFS could not appropriately adjust the annual quotas for 2017 sooner because the data needed to make the determination did not become available until August, and additional time was needed for agency analysis and consideration of the data. Additionally, to prevent confusion and potential overharvests, these adjustments should be in place as soon as possible in order to allow the impacted sectors to benefit from any subsequent quota adjustments to the fishing categories, give them a reasonable opportunity to catch available quota, and provide them the opportunity for planning operations accordingly. This action is being taken under § 635.27(e) and § 635.27(a)(10), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. This action does not contain a collection-of-information requirement VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:23 Sep 15, 2017 Jkt 241001 for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not required for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., are inapplicable. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: September 13, 2017. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–19777 Filed 9–15–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 161020985–7181–02] RIN 0648–XF654 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Correction National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocations; correction. AGENCY: NMFS is correcting a temporary rule that reallocated Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The amount reallocated from vessels using jig gear was incorrect. DATES: Effective September 18, 2017 through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t) December 31, 2017, and is applicable beginning August 30, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Need for Correction NMFS published the reallocation of Pacific cod on September 5, 2017 (82 FR 41899). The document contains incorrect amounts of Pacific cod to be PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 43503 transferred to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear from vessels using jig gear. These corrections will not affect the fishing operations. These corrections are necessary to provide the correct information about the amount of the Pacific cod transferred from vessels using jig gear and eliminate potential avoid confusion by fishery participants. Correction In the Federal Register of September 5, 2017, (82 FR 41899) in FR Doc. 2017– 18733, on page 41900, column 1, paragraph 2, sentences 1 and 2 are corrected to read as follows: ‘‘The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 1,186 mt of the remaining 2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 1,186 mt of Pacific cod to the annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.’’ Classification 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 actions corrects an error that attributed the total amount of Pacific cod being transferred to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear from multiple sectors (1,612 mt), rather than the amount of Pacific cod being reallocated from vessels using jig gear (1,186 mt). This correction does not change operating practices in the fisheries. Corrections should be made as soon as possible to avoid confusion for participants in the fisheries. 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. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 12, 2017. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2017–19628 Filed 9–15–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\18SER1.SGM 18SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 179 (Monday, September 18, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19628]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 161020985-7181-02]
RIN 0648-XF654


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

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocations; correction.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is correcting a temporary rule that reallocated Pacific 
cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or 
equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line 
gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area. The amount reallocated from vessels using jig gear was incorrect.

DATES: Effective September 18, 2017 through 2400 hours, Alaska local 
time (A.l.t) December 31, 2017, and is applicable beginning August 30, 
2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Need for Correction

    NMFS published the reallocation of Pacific cod on September 5, 2017 
(82 FR 41899). The document contains incorrect amounts of Pacific cod 
to be transferred to catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear from vessels using jig gear. These corrections 
will not affect the fishing operations. These corrections are necessary 
to provide the correct information about the amount of the Pacific cod 
transferred from vessels using jig gear and eliminate potential avoid 
confusion by fishery participants.

Correction

    In the Federal Register of September 5, 2017, (82 FR 41899) in FR 
Doc. 2017-18733, on page 41900, column 1, paragraph 2, sentences 1 and 
2 are corrected to read as follows:
    ``The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 1,186 mt of 
the remaining 2017 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under 
Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 1,186 mt of Pacific cod to the 
annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using 
hook-and-line or pot gear.''

Classification

    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 actions corrects an error that attributed the 
total amount of Pacific cod being transferred to catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear from multiple sectors 
(1,612 mt), rather than the amount of Pacific cod being reallocated 
from vessels using jig gear (1,186 mt). This correction does not change 
operating practices in the fisheries. Corrections should be made as 
soon as possible to avoid confusion for participants in the fisheries.
    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.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 12, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-19628 Filed 9-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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