Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 43527-43528 [2019-18028]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 21, 2019 / Rules and Regulations ACTION: Final rule; correction. Temporary rule; reduction of possession limit. ACTION: SUMMARY: This action corrects the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section to the final rule published on July 31, 2019, which had an incorrect numeral in the citation for a previously published notice. This correction provides a revision to the citation. DATES: Effective August 30, 2019. ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of Amendment 13 may be obtained from the Southeast Regional Office website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/ amendment-13-modifications-spinylobster-gear-requirements-andcooperative-management. Amendment 13 includes an environmental assessment, a fishery impact statement, a Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis, and a regulatory impact review. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelli O’Donnell, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, telephone: 727–824– 5305; email: Kelli.ODonnell@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Need for Correction In a final rule NMFS published on July 31, 2019, beginning on page 37149, make the following correction in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. On page 37149 in the third column, revise the first sentence of the second paragraph to read as follows: ‘‘On April 2, 2019, NMFS published a notice of availability (NOA) for Amendment 13 and requested public comment (84 FR 12573).’’ Dated: August 14, 2019. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–17909 Filed 8–20–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES [Docket No. 140902739–5224–02; RTID 0648–XX007] Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery; 2019 Illex Squid Quota Harvested National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:52 Aug 20, 2019 Jkt 247001 Beginning August 21, 2019, through December 31, 2019, Federal Illex squid vessel permit holders are prohibited from fishing for, catching, possessing, transferring or landing more than 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) of Illex squid per trip, and from landing Illex squid more than once per calendar day. This prohibition is effective when NMFS projects that 95 percent of the 2019 annual catch limit will have been caught by the effective date. This action is intended to prevent over harvest of Illex squid for the fishing year. DATES: Effective 0001 hr local time, August 21, 2019, through December 31, 2019. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyson Pitts, Fishery Management Specialist, (978) 281–9352. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations for the Illex squid fishery are at 50 CFR part 648. The regulations at § 648.24(a)(2) require that when the Regional Administrator projects that Illex squid catch will reach 95 percent of the domestic annual harvest (DAH) quota, NMFS must prohibit Federal Illex squid vessel permit holders from directed fishing. Vessels may not catch, possess, transfer, or land more than 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) of Illex squid per trip, or land Illex squid more than once per calendar day. The Regional Administrator monitors the Illex squid fishery catch annually based on dealer reports, state data, and other available information. When 95 percent of the DAH has been reached, NMFS must provide at least 72 hours of notice to the public that it made this determination. NMFS must also publish the date that the catch is projected to reach 95 percent of the quota, and the date when prohibitions on catch and landings for the remainder of the fishing year become effective. The Regional Administrator has determined, based on dealer reports and other available information, that the Illex squid fleet will catch 95 percent of the total Illex squid DAH quota for the 2019 season through December 31, 2019, by August 21, 2019. Therefore, effective 0001 August 21, 2019, federally permitted vessels may not fish for, catch, possess, transfer, or land more than 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) of Illex squid, and may not land Illex squid more than once per calendar day. Vessels that have entered port before 0001 hr on August 21, 2019, may offload and sell more than 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) of Illex squid from that trip. Also, federally permitted dealers may not SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 43527 receive Illex squid from federally permitted Illex squid vessels that harvest more than 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) of Illex squid through 2400 hr, December 31, 2019, unless it is from a trip landed by a vessel that entered port before 0001 hr on August 21, 2019. Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. NMFS finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment and the delayed effectiveness because it would be contrary to the public interest and impracticable. Data and other information indicating the Illex squid fleet will have landed at least 95 percent of the 2019 DAH quota have only recently become available. Landings data are updated on a weekly basis, and NMFS monitors catch data on a daily basis as catch increases toward the limit. Further, high-volume catch and landings in this fishery increases total catch relative to the quota quickly. The regulations at § 648.24(a)(2) require such action to ensure that Illex squid vessels do not exceed the 2019 DAH quota. If implementation of this action is delayed, the quota for the 2019 fishing year may be exceeded, thereby undermining the conservation objectives of the FMP. Also, the public had prior notice and full opportunity to comment on this process when the provisions regarding closures and the 2019 quota levels were put in place. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 16, 2019. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–18029 Filed 8–16–19; 5:05 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 180713633–9174–02] RIN 0648–XY009 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\21AUR1.SGM 21AUR1 43528 ACTION: Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 21, 2019 / Rules and Regulations Temporary rule; closure. NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. SUMMARY: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 16, 2019, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2019. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. 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 jspears on DSK3GMQ082PROD with RULES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:52 Aug 20, 2019 Jkt 247001 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2019 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the CAI, allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery was established as a directed fishing allowance of 743 metric tons by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019). 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 CAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. 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 a requirement PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 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 the Pacific ocean perch directed fishery in the CAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of August 15, 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: August 16, 2019. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2019–18028 Filed 8–16–19; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\21AUR1.SGM 21AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43527-43528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18028]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 180713633-9174-02]
RIN 0648-XY009


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

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

[[Page 43528]]


ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch 
in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI 
trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the 2019 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean 
perch in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector fishery.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 16, 2019, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 2019 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the CAI, allocated to 
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery 
was established as a directed fishing allowance of 743 metric tons by 
the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the 
BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019).
    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 CAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector fishery. 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 a 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 the Pacific ocean perch directed fishery in 
the CAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access 
sector fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for 
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of August 15, 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: August 16, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-18028 Filed 8-16-19; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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