Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Operating as Catcher Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 56150-56151 [2019-22856]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 203 / Monday, October 21, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod by non-American
Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are
subject to sideboard limits, and
operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using
pot gear, in the Western Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the
2019 Pacific cod sideboard limit
established for non-AFA crab vessels
that are operating as CVs using pot gear
in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
SUMMARY:
[FR Doc. 2019–22785 Filed 10–18–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813–9170–02]
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
RIN 0648–XY028
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:21 Oct 18, 2019
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), October 16, 2019,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
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
DATES:
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by NonAmerican Fisheries Act Crab Vessels
Operating as Catcher Vessels Using
Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Jkt 250001
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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 2019 Pacific cod sideboard limit
established for non-AFA crab vessels,
and that are operating as CVs using pot
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA, is 533 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 § 680.22(e)(2)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the 2019 Pacific cod
sideboard limit established for non-AFA
crab vessels that are operating as CVs
using pot gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
E:\FR\FM\21OCR1.SGM
21OCR1
ER21OC19.013
56150
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 203 / Monday, October 21, 2019 / Rules and Regulations
establishing a sideboard directed fishing
allowance of 523 mt, and is setting aside
the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to
support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. In accordance with
§ 680.22(e)(3), the Regional
Administrator finds that this sideboard
directed fishing allowance has been
reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are
operating as CVs using pot 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
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:21 Oct 18, 2019
Jkt 250001
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 sideboard directed fishing
closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab
vessels that are subject to sideboard
limits, and that are operating as CVs
using pot gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
56151
recent, relevant data only became
available as of October 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 § 680.22
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 16, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019–22856 Filed 10–16–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\21OCR1.SGM
21OCR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 203 (Monday, October 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56150-56151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22856]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
RIN 0648-XY028
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Operating as Catcher Vessels
Using Pot 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 non-
American Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are subject to sideboard
limits, and operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using pot gear, in the
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 Pacific cod sideboard limit
established for non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using
pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 16,
2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 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 2019 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab
vessels, and that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA, is 533 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. 680.22(e)(2)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2019
Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels that
are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
[[Page 56151]]
establishing a sideboard directed fishing allowance of 523 mt, and is
setting aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec.
680.22(e)(3), the Regional Administrator finds that this sideboard
directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-AFA crab vessels
that are operating as CVs using pot 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 sideboard directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for
non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits, and that are
operating as CVs using pot 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 October 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. 680.22 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 16, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22856 Filed 10-16-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P