Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 65108-65109 [2018-27438]
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65108
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or
pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This
action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable
catch allocated to catcher vessels less
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookand-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), December 15, 2018,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
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 total allowable
catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels
less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is
8,748 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 reallocations (83 FR 2932, January
22, 2018, 83 FR 42227, August 21, 2018,
and 83 FR 56740, November 14, 2018).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the 2018 Pacific cod
TAC allocated as a directed fishing
allowance to catcher vessels less than 60
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line
or pot gear in the BSAI will soon be
reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or
pot gear in the BSAI. While this closure
is 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:29 Dec 18, 2018
Jkt 247001
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 cod by catcher vessels less than
60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-andline or pot gear in the BSAI. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 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.
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
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 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA is 2,140 metric tons
(mt), as established by the final 2018
and 2019 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768,
March 1, 2018). The Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional
Administrator) has determined that
catcher vessels using trawl gear will not
be able to harvest 725 mt of the 2018
Pacific cod TAC allocated to those
vessels under § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(3).
In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional
Administrator has also determined that
catcher vessels using hook-and-line
gear, vessels using jig gear, and vessels
using pot gear currently have the
capacity to harvest this excess
allocation. Therefore, NMFS apportions
725 mt of Pacific cod from the trawl
catcher vessel apportionment to catcher
vessels using hook-and-line gear, vessels
using jig gear, and vessels using pot gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
The harvest specifications for Pacific
cod in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA included in the final 2018 and
2019 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768,
March 1, 2018) are revised as follows:
1,415 mt to catcher vessels using trawl
gear, 85 mt to vessels using hook-andline gear, 125 mt to vessels using jig
gear, and 2,795 mt to vessels using pot
gear.
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amounts of Pacific cod
total allowable catch (TAC) from catcher
vessels using trawl gear to catcher
vessels using hook-and-line gear, vessels
using jig gear, and vessels using pot gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to allow the 2018 TAC of
Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA to be harvested.
DATES: Effective December 14, 2018
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
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
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 14, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–27439 Filed 12–14–18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]
RIN 0648–XG676
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY:
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\19DER1.SGM
19DER1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 19, 2018 / Rules and Regulations
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES
delay the reallocations of Pacific cod in
the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA. 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:29 Dec 18, 2018
Jkt 247001
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 December 11, 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.
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
65109
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: December 14, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–27438 Filed 12–14–18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\19DER1.SGM
19DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65108-65109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27438]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XG676
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific
cod total allowable catch (TAC) from catcher vessels using trawl gear
to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, vessels using jig gear,
and vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to allow the 2018 TAC of
Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested.
DATES: Effective December 14, 2018 through 2400 hours, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2018.
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 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,140 metric tons
(mt), as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications
for groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018). The
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has
determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear will not be able to
harvest 725 mt of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels
under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(3).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional
Administrator has also determined that catcher vessels using hook-and-
line gear, vessels using jig gear, and vessels using pot gear currently
have the capacity to harvest this excess allocation. Therefore, NMFS
apportions 725 mt of Pacific cod from the trawl catcher vessel
apportionment to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, vessels
using jig gear, and vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
The harvest specifications for Pacific cod in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA included in the final 2018 and 2019 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018)
are revised as follows: 1,415 mt to catcher vessels using trawl gear,
85 mt to vessels using hook-and-line gear, 125 mt to vessels using jig
gear, and 2,795 mt to vessels using 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
[[Page 65109]]
delay the reallocations of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area
of the GOA. 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 December 11, 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: December 14, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-27438 Filed 12-14-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
