Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 52039-52040 [2019-21180]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 190 / Tuesday, October 1, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 190312234–9412–01]
RIN 0648–XX012
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; Summer Flounder Fishery;
Quota Transfers From NC to VA and
ME to CT
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer.
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the
States of North Carolina and Maine are
transferring a portion of their respective
2019 commercial summer flounder
quotas to the Commonwealth of Virginia
and the State of Connecticut. These
quota adjustments are necessary to
comply with the Summer Flounder,
Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery
Management Plan quota transfer
provisions. This announcement informs
the public of the revised commercial
quotas for North Carolina, Virginia,
Maine, and Connecticut.
DATES: Effective September 30, 2019,
through December 31, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Hansen, Fishery Management
Specialist, (978) 281–9225.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations governing the summer
flounder fishery are found in 50 CFR
648.100 through 648.110. These
regulations require annual specification
of a commercial quota that is
apportioned among the coastal states
from Maine through North Carolina. The
process to set the annual commercial
quota and the percent allocated to each
state is described in § 648.102, and the
revised 2019 allocations were published
on May 17, 2019 (84 FR 22392).
The final rule implementing
Amendment 5 to the Summer Flounder
Fishery Management Plan, as published
in the Federal Register on December 17,
1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a
mechanism for transferring summer
flounder commercial quota from one
state to another. Two or more states,
under mutual agreement and with the
concurrence of the NMFS Greater
Atlantic Regional Administrator, can
transfer or combine summer flounder
commercial quota under § 648.102(c)(2).
The Regional Administrator is required
to consider the criteria in
§ 648.102(c)(2)(i)(A) through (C) in the
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16:58 Sep 30, 2019
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evaluation of requests for quota transfers
or combinations.
North Carolina is transferring 12,500
lb (5,667 kg) of summer flounder
commercial quota to Virginia through
mutual agreement of the states. This
transfer was requested to repay landings
made by North Carolina-permitted
vessels in Virginia under a safe harbor
agreement. Maine is transferring 5,224
lb (2,369 kg) of summer flounder, its full
2019 allocation, to Connecticut through
mutual agreements of the states. The
revised summer flounder quotas for
fishing year 2019 are now: North
Carolina, 2,957,742 lb (1,341,609 kg);
Virginia, 2,390,710 lb (1,084,407 kg);
Maine, 0 lb (0 kg); and Connecticut,
253,119 lb (114,813 kg).
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR
part 648 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 26, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–21263 Filed 9–30–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180713633–9174–02]
RIN 0648–XY039
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch
in the Bering Sea Subarea of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of
a closure.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed
fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area.
This action is necessary to fully use the
2019 total allowable catch of Pacific
ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), October 1, 2019, through
2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.
Comments must be received at the
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
52039
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., October 16, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2018–0089,
by either of the following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20180089, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Records Office. Mail comments to P.O.
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of
the comment period, may not be
considered by NMFS. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender will
be publicly accessible. NMFS will
accept anonymous comments (enter
‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (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.
NMFS closed directed fishing for
Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI under
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (84 FR 9000, March
13, 2019).
NMFS has determined that
approximately 6,000 metric tons of POP
remain in the directed fishing
allowance. Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
2019 total allowable catch of POP in the
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, NMFS
is terminating the previous closure and
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52040
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 190 / Tuesday, October 1, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
is opening directed fishing for POP in
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective
1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2019,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31,
2019. This will enhance the
socioeconomic well-being of harvesters
dependent on POP in this area.
The Administrator, Alaska Region
considered the following factors in
reaching this decision: (1) The current
catch of POP in the BSAI and, (2) the
harvest capacity and stated intent on
future harvesting patterns of vessels
participating in this fishery.
jbell on DSK3GLQ082PROD with RULES
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
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16:58 Sep 30, 2019
Jkt 250001
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 opening of POP directed
fishing in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 September 24, 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.
PO 00000
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Fmt 4700
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Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the fishery for
POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the
BSAI to be harvested in an expedient
manner and in accordance with the
regulatory schedule. Under
§ 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
invited to submit written comments on
this action to the above address until
October 16, 2019.
This action is required by §§ 679.20
and 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 25, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–21180 Filed 9–30–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 1, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52039-52040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-21180]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180713633-9174-02]
RIN 0648-XY039
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in
the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2019 total
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 1, 2019,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2019. Comments must be received
at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 16,
2019.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, by
either of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0089, click the
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or
attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Records Office. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (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.
NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (84 FR
9000, March 13, 2019).
NMFS has determined that approximately 6,000 metric tons of POP
remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully
utilize the 2019 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering Sea subarea
of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and
[[Page 52040]]
is opening directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI,
effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2019, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2019. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of
harvesters dependent on POP in this area.
The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors
in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of POP in the BSAI
and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting
patterns of vessels participating in this fishery.
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 opening of POP directed fishing in the Bering Sea
subarea of 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 September 24, 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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to be harvested in an
expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under
Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written
comments on this action to the above address until October 16, 2019.
This action is required by Sec. Sec. 679.20 and 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 25, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-21180 Filed 9-30-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
