Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska, 41020 [2018-17797]
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41020
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
Classification
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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 in
the West Yakutat District 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 13,
2018.
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.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 14, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–17798 Filed 8–14–18; 4:15 pm]
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with RULES
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Jkt 244001
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]
RIN 0648–XG400
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch
in the West Yakutat District 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 directed
fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the
West Yakutat District of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the 2018 total
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch
in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), August 14, 2018,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 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 2018 total allowable catch (TAC)
of Pacific ocean perch in the West
Yakutat District of the GOA is 3,371
metric tons (mt) as established by the
final 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the 2018 TAC of Pacific
ocean perch in the West Yakutat District
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 3,271 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 100 mt as bycatch
to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. In accordance with
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed
fishing allowance has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
While this closure remains effective the
maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a trip.
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 closure of directed fishing for
Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat
District 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 13, 2018.
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 14, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–17797 Filed 8–14–18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 41020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17797]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XG400
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District 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 directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 total allowable catch of
Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 14,
2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 2018 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the
West Yakutat District of the GOA is 3,371 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2018 TAC
of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will
soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing
a directed fishing allowance of 3,271 mt, and is setting aside the
remaining 100 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. While this closure
remains effective the maximum retainable amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and
(f) apply at any time during a trip.
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 closure of directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in
the West Yakutat District 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 13, 2018.
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 14, 2018.
Margo B. Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-17797 Filed 8-14-18; 4:15 pm]
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