Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 4601-4602 [2020-00741]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
BILLING CODE 3510–22–C
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Classification
The NMFS Assistant Administrator
has determined that this rule is
consistent with the Northeast
Multispecies FMP, other provisions of
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, and
other applicable laws.
This rule has been determined to be
not significant for the purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), we
find good cause to waive prior public
notice and opportunity for public
comment on the minor corrections and
allocation adjustments because allowing
time for notice and comment is
impracticable, unnecessary, and
contrary to the public interest. We also
find good cause to waive the 30-day
delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(1) and (3), so that this
final rule may become effective in a
timely manner and maximize the
economic benefits of the adjusted
allocations to the fishery.
Notice and comment and a 30-day
delay in effectiveness would be
impracticable, unnecessary, and
contrary to the public interest. The
adjustments in this rule are necessary to
correct minor errors made in the
Framework Adjustment 58 final rule.
Correcting these errors is not subject to
our discretion, so there would be no
benefit to allowing time for notice and
comment. Immediate implementation
corrects information published in
Framework Adjustment 58 and provides
industry with the most accurate
information. Delaying these adjustments
could cause confusion to industry. The
distribution of unused quota carried
over from the previous fishing year is an
annual adjustment action that is
expected by industry and causes no
economic harm. Some of these
adjustments increase available catch.
They are routine, formulaic, and
authorized by regulation. Delaying these
adjustments would result in a delay in
the distribution of unused carryover to
sectors, and could negate or reduce the
intended economic benefits of the rule.
Also, because advanced notice and
the opportunity for public comment are
not required for this action under the
Administrative Procedure Act, or any
other law, the analytical requirements of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C.
601, et seq., do not apply to this rule.
Therefore, no final regulatory flexibility
analysis is required and none has been
prepared.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:03 Jan 24, 2020
Jkt 250001
Dated: January 13, 2020.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–00652 Filed 1–24–20; 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; RTID
0648–XY066]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amount of Pacific cod
from vessels using jig gear to catcher
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters)
length overall using hook-and-line or
pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area. This action is
necessary to allow the A season
apportionment of the 2020 total
allowable catch of Pacific cod to be
harvested.
SUMMARY:
Effective January 24, 2020,
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
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 A season apportionment of the
2020 Pacific cod total allowable catch
(TAC) specified for vessels using jig gear
in the BSAI is 1,167 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019)
and inseason adjustment (85 FR 19,
January 2, 2020).
DATES:
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
4601
The 2020 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3
meters(m)) length overall (LOA) using
hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is
2,766 mt as established by final 2019
and 2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000,
March 13, 2019) and inseason
adjustment (85 FR 19, January 2, 2020).
The Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has
determined that jig vessels will not be
able to harvest 667 mt of the A season
apportionment of the 2020 Pacific cod
TAC allocated to those vessels under
§ 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in
accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C),
NMFS apportions 667 mt of Pacific cod
from the A season jig gear
apportionment to the annual amount
specified for catcher vessels less than 60
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line
or pot gear.
The harvest specifications for 2020
Pacific cod included in final 2019 and
2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000,
March 13, 2019) and inseason
adjustment (85 FR 19, January 2, 2020)
are revised as follows: 500 mt to the A
season apportionment and 1,278 mt to
the annual amount for vessels using jig
gear, and 3,433 mt to catcher vessels
less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear.
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 reallocation of Pacific cod
specified from jig vessels to catcher
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA
using hook-and-line or pot gear. Since
the fishery is currently open, it is
important to immediately inform the
industry as to the revised allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to
allow for the orderly conduct and
efficient operation of this fishery, to
allow the industry to plan for the fishing
season, and to avoid potential
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as
processors. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
E:\FR\FM\27JAR1.SGM
27JAR1
4602
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 17 / Monday, January 27, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
recent, relevant data only became
available as of January 13, 2020.
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: January 14, 2020.
Karyl K. Brewster-Geisz,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–00741 Filed 1–24–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813–9170–02; RTID
0648–XY068]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical
Area 610 in 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 pollock in Statistical Area
610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the A season allowance of the 2020 total
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical
Area 610 in the GOA.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:03 Jan 24, 2020
Jkt 250001
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), January 22, 2020, through
1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2020.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh
While this closure is effective the
maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a trip.
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
Classification
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.
The A season allowance of the 2020
total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 517
metric tons (mt) as established by the
final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) and
inseason adjustment (84 FR 70436,
December 23, 2019).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Regional Administrator has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2020 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 610 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 517 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 pollock in Statistical
Area 610 of the GOA.
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 closure of directed fishing for
pollock in Statistical Area 610 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 January 13, 2020.
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 14, 2020.
Karyl K. Brewster-Geisz,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–00725 Filed 1–22–20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4601-4602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00741]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180713633-9174-02; RTID 0648-XY066]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific
cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet
(18.3 meters) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is
necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2020 total
allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.
DATES: Effective January 24, 2020, through 2400 hours, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 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 A season apportionment of the 2020 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) specified for vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 1,167
metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019)
and inseason adjustment (85 FR 19, January 2, 2020).
The 2020 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60
feet (18.3 meters(m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot
gear in the BSAI is 2,766 mt as established by final 2019 and 2020
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March
13, 2019) and inseason adjustment (85 FR 19, January 2, 2020).
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator)
has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 667 mt of
the A season apportionment of the 2020 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
those vessels under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in
accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C), NMFS apportions 667 mt of
Pacific cod from the A season jig gear apportionment to the annual
amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA
using hook-and-line or pot gear.
The harvest specifications for 2020 Pacific cod included in final
2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR
9000, March 13, 2019) and inseason adjustment (85 FR 19, January 2,
2020) are revised as follows: 500 mt to the A season apportionment and
1,278 mt to the annual amount for vessels using jig gear, and 3,433 mt
to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line
or pot gear.
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 reallocation of Pacific cod specified from jig vessels
to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line
or pot gear. Since the fishery is currently open, it is important to
immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations.
Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct
and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan
for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the
fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most
[[Page 4602]]
recent, relevant data only became available as of January 13, 2020.
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: January 14, 2020.
Karyl K. Brewster-Geisz,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-00741 Filed 1-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
