Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 56740-56741 [2018-24824]

Download as PDF 56740 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 14, 2018 / Rules and Regulations prospective contractor, i.e., that an offeror meets the standards at FAR 9.104. Therefore, GSAR 509.105–1(b) will be removed from the GSAR because it violates FAR 1.304(b) by unnecessarily paraphrasing FAR 9.105– 1(b). III. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under section 6(b) of E.O. 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804. PART 509—CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS 1. The authority citation for part 509 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c). 2. Revise section 509.105–1 to read as follows: ■ 509.105–1 Obtaining information. FAR 9.105–1 lists a number of sources of information that a contracting officer may utilize before making a determination of responsibility. The contracting officer may request information directly from a prospective contractor using GSA Form 527, Contractor’s Qualifications and Financial Information, but only after exhausting other available sources of information. [FR Doc. 2018–24755 Filed 11–13–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–61–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration IV. Executive Order 13771 This final rule is not subject to E.O. 13771, because this rule is not a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866. V. Regulatory Flexibility Act This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., because the rule merely removes unnecessarily duplicative regulatory language. The rule imposes no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other information collection requirements. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis has not been performed. VI. Paperwork Reduction Act This rule does not contain any information collection requirements that require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). List of Subjects in 48 CFR Part 509 Government procurement. Dated: November 7, 2018. Jeffrey A. Koses, Senior Procurement Executive, Office of Acquisition Policy, Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration. Therefore, GSA is amending 48 CFR part 509 as set forth below: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:08 Nov 13, 2018 Jkt 247001 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 170817779–8161–02] RIN 0648–XG591 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. AGENCY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using jig gear, trawl catcher vessels, and American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/ processors to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2018 TAC of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: Effective November 13, 2018, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2018. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 and Aleutian Islands Management Area (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 Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 249 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and reallocation (83 FR 42227, August 21, 2018). The 2018 Pacific cod TAC specified for trawl catcher vessels in the BSAI is 40,227 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). The 2018 Pacific cod TAC specified for AFA catcher/processors in the BSAI is 4,186 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018). The 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 6,290 mt as established by final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and reallocation (83 FR 42227, August 21, 2018). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 100 mt of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1), the trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 2,200 mt of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9), and the AFA catcher/processors will not be able to harvest 158 mt of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 100 mt of Pacific cod from the jig vessel apportionment, 2,200 mt of Pacific cod from the trawl catcher vessel apportionment, and 158 mt of Pacific cod from the AFA catcher/ processor apportionment to the annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookand-line or pot gear. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and reallocations (83 FR 42227, August 21, 2018) are revised as follows: 149 mt to the annual amount for vessels using E:\FR\FM\14NOR1.SGM 14NOR1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 14, 2018 / Rules and Regulations jig gear, 38,027 mt to trawl catcher vessels, 4,028 mt to AFA catcher/ processors, and 8,748 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:08 Nov 13, 2018 Jkt 247001 responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the reallocations of Pacific cod to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. Since the fishery is currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of November 7, 2018. PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 56741 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: November 8, 2018. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018–24824 Filed 11–13–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\14NOR1.SGM 14NOR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56740-56741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24824]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG591


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

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using jig gear, trawl 
catcher vessels, and American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processors to 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using 
hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area. This action is necessary to allow the 2018 TAC of 
Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES: Effective November 13, 2018, through 2400 hours, Alaska local 
time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) according to the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area (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 Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels using jig gear in 
the BSAI is 249 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2018 and 
2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, 
February 27, 2018) and reallocation (83 FR 42227, August 21, 2018).
    The 2018 Pacific cod TAC specified for trawl catcher vessels in the 
BSAI is 40,227 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 
2018).
    The 2018 Pacific cod TAC specified for AFA catcher/processors in 
the BSAI is 4,186 mt as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 
2018).
    The 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 6,290 
mt as established by final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and reallocation 
(83 FR 42227, August 21, 2018).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 100 mt of 
the 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1), the trawl catcher vessels will not be able to 
harvest 2,200 mt of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels 
under Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9), and the AFA catcher/processors will 
not be able to harvest 158 mt of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to 
those vessels under Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(7). Therefore, in 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 100 mt of 
Pacific cod from the jig vessel apportionment, 2,200 mt of Pacific cod 
from the trawl catcher vessel apportionment, and 158 mt of Pacific cod 
from the AFA catcher/processor apportionment to the annual amount 
specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using 
hook-and-line or pot gear. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod 
included in final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish 
in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, February 27, 2018) and reallocations (83 FR 
42227, August 21, 2018) are revised as follows: 149 mt to the annual 
amount for vessels using

[[Page 56741]]

jig gear, 38,027 mt to trawl catcher vessels, 4,028 mt to AFA catcher/
processors, and 8,748 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) 
LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.

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 reallocations of Pacific cod to catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. Since the 
fishery is currently open, it is important to immediately inform the 
industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is 
necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of 
this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and 
to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as 
processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for 
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of November 7, 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: November 8, 2018.
 Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-24824 Filed 11-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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