Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 46458-46459 [2019-19046]
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46458
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 4, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with RULES
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 annual allowance of the 2019
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
not participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program is 2,148
metric tons (mt), as established by the
final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the annual allowance of
the 2019 Pacific cod TAC apportioned
to trawl catcher vessels in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA is necessary
to account for the incidental catch in
other anticipated fisheries. Therefore,
the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside
the remaining 2,148 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
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. This closure does not
apply to fishing by vessels participating
in the cooperative fishery of the
Rockfish Program for the Central GOA.
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 using
trawl 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 August 28, 2019.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:38 Sep 03, 2019
Jkt 247001
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 29, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–19045 Filed 8–29–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813–9170–02]
RIN 0648–XY014
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line
Gear 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 hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the 2019 Pacific cod
total allowable catch apportioned to
catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
SUMMARY:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2019,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 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 MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act. Regulations governing
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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 2019 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher
vessels using hook-and-line gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is
73 metric tons (mt), as established by
the final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the 2019 Pacific cod
TAC apportioned to catcher vessels
using hook-and-line gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon
be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 20 mt and is setting
aside the remaining 53 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 hook-and-line gear
in the Western 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 using
hook-and-line 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 August 28, 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
E:\FR\FM\04SER1.SGM
04SER1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 171 / Wednesday, September 4, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
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.
46459
Dated: August 29, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–19046 Filed 8–29–19; 4:15 pm]
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with RULES
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:38 Sep 03, 2019
Jkt 247001
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
E:\FR\FM\04SER1.SGM
04SER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46458-46459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19046]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
RIN 0648-XY014
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear 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 hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to
catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area
of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to
catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area
of the GOA is 73 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (84 FR 9416,
March 14, 2019).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2019
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 20 mt and is setting aside the remaining 53 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 hook-and-line 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 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 hook-and-line 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 August 28, 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
[[Page 46459]]
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 29, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-19046 Filed 8-29-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P