Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 7303 [2019-03813]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 42 / Monday, March 4, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
Line at (978) 281–9260, or access
hmspermits.noaa.gov, for updates on
quota monitoring and inseason
adjustments.
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable
and contrary to the public interest to
provide prior notice of, and an
opportunity for public comment on, this
action for the following reasons:
The regulations implementing the
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and
amendments provide for inseason
retention limit adjustments and fishery
closures to respond to the unpredictable
nature of BFT availability on the fishing
grounds, the migratory nature of this
species, and the regional variations in
the BFT fishery. These fisheries are
currently underway and delaying this
action would be contrary to the public
interest as it could result in BFT
landings further exceeding the January
subquota, which could result in the
need to reduce quota for the General
category later in the year and thus could
affect later fishing opportunities.
Therefore, the AA finds good cause
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior
notice and the opportunity for public
comment. For all of the above reasons,
there is good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness.
This action is being taken under
§ 635.28(a)(1) (BFT fishery closures),
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
Dated: February 27, 2019.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–03816 Filed 2–27–19; 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–XG845
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal
to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hookand-Line Gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:21 Mar 01, 2019
Jkt 247001
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 50 feet length
overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear
in the Central 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
catcher vessels greater than or equal to
50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), February 27, 2019,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
2019.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
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 catcher vessels greater
than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hookand-line gear in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA is 319 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 catcher vessels greater
than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hookand-line gear in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 259 mt and is setting aside
the remaining 60 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
7303
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels greater than or equal to
50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the 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 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 greater
than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hookand-line gear in the Central 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 26, 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 27, 2019.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–03813 Filed 2–27–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\04MRR1.SGM
04MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 42 (Monday, March 4, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03813]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 170816769-8162-02]
RIN 0648-XG845
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall
Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central 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 greater than or equal to 50 feet length overall (LOA)
using hook-and-line gear in the Central 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 catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA
using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 27,
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 catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50
feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA is 319 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 catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
259 mt and is setting aside the remaining 60 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 greater than or
equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central 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 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 greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear
in the Central 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 26, 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 27, 2019.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03813 Filed 2-27-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P