Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 6704 [2019-03492]
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6704
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 40 / Thursday, February 28, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
effectiveness period for the reason
stated above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dated: February 22, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–03457 Filed 2–27–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769–8162–02]
RIN 0648–XG724
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl
Catcher Vessels in the Western
Regulatory Area 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 cod by catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the A season
allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total
allowable catch apportioned to trawl
catcher vessels in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), February 25, 2019,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
2019.
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VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:48 Feb 27, 2019
Jkt 247001
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.
The A season allowance of the 2019
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
is 1,443 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 A season allowance
of the 2019 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 1,300 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 143
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
cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
SUMMARY:
Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
GOA. 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 Acting 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 directed fishing closure of
Pacific cod by catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the Western 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 February 22, 2019.
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: February 22, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–03492 Filed 2–25–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\28FER1.SGM
28FER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 40 (Thursday, February 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 6704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03492]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XG724
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Trawl Catcher Vessels 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; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the
A season allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch
apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 25,
2019, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2019.
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. Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,443 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 A season
allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to trawl catcher
vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 1,300 mt and is setting aside the remaining 143 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 cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA. While this closure is 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 Acting 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 February 22, 2019.
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: February 22, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03492 Filed 2-25-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P