Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan; Inseason Action, 45341-45343 [2020-16345]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 28, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.), do not apply.
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section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency
has determined that this action will not
have a substantial direct effect on States
or Tribal Governments, on the
relationship between the National
Government and the States or Tribal
Governments, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government or between
the Federal Government and Indian
Tribes. Thus, the Agency has
determined that Executive Order 13132,
entitled ‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255,
August 10, 1999) and Executive Order
13175, entitled ‘‘Consultation and
Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments’’ (65 FR 67249, November
9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In
addition, this action does not impose
any enforceable duty or contain any
unfunded mandate as described under
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et
seq.).
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Agency consideration of voluntary
consensus standards pursuant to section
12(d) of the National Technology
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VII. Congressional Review Act
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Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
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Representatives, and the Comptroller
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publication of the rule in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
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List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: June 7, 2020.
Michael Goodis,
Director, Registration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. In § 180.416, amend the table in
paragraph (a) as follows:
■ i. Add an entry for ‘‘Potato’’ after
‘‘Pea, dry, seed’’ and before the current
entry for ‘‘Potato’’; and
■ ii. Revise the current entry for
‘‘Potato’’.
The addition and revision read as
follows:
■
§ 180.416
residues
Ethalfluralin; tolerances for
(a) * * *
Parts
per million
Commodity
*
*
*
*
*
*
Potato ...................................................................................................................................................................................................
Potato 1 ................................................................................................................................................................................................
*
1 This
*
*
*
*
*
0.01
0.05
*
tolerance expires on January 28, 2021.
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2020–16266 Filed 7–27–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[Docket No. 200427–0121]
RTID 0648–XW034
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch
Sharing Plan; Inseason Action
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
AGENCY:
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*
*
This document announces
additional season dates for the
Washington and Columbia River Pacific
halibut recreational fisheries in the
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:58 Jul 27, 2020
Jkt 250001
International Pacific Halibut
Commission’s regulatory Area 2A off
Washington, Oregon, and California.
This action is intended to conserve
Pacific halibut and provide angler
opportunity where available.
DATES: This action is effective July 27,
2020, through December 31, 2020.
Submit comments on or before August
12, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2019–0120,
by either of the following methods:
• Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to
www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20190120, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Barry Thom, c/o Kathryn Blair, West
Coast Region, NMFS, 1201 NE Lloyd
Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider
comments if they are sent by any other
method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the
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Fmt 4700
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comment period ends. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and NMFS will post them for public
viewing on www.regulations.gov
without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information
submitted voluntarily by the sender is
publicly accessible. NMFS will accept
anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in
the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
Docket: This rule is accessible via the
internet at the Office of the Federal
Register website at https://
www.federalregister.gov/. Background
information and documents are
available at the NOAA Fisheries website
at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
action/2020-pacific-halibut-catchsharing-plan and at the Council’s
website at https://www.pcouncil.org.
Other comments received may be
accessed through www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathryn Blair, phone: 503–231–6858,
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 28, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
Inseason Action
fax: 503–231–6893, or email:
kathryn.blair@noaa.gov.
On May 1,
2020, NMFS published a final rule
approving changes to the Pacific halibut
Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan and
recreational (sport) management
measures for 2020 (85 FR 25317), as
authorized by the Northern Pacific
Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773–
773(k)). The 2020 Catch Sharing Plan
provides a recommended framework for
NMFS’ annual management measures
and subarea allocations based on the
2020 Area 2A Pacific halibut catch limit
of 1,500,000 pounds (lb) (680.4 metric
tons (mt)). These Pacific halibut
management measures include
recreational fishery season dates and
subarea allocations.
Federal regulations at 50 CFR
300.63(c), ‘‘Flexible Inseason
Management Provisions for Sport
Halibut Fisheries in Area 2A,’’ allow the
NMFS’ Regional Administrator, after
consultation with the Chairman of the
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council), the Executive Director of the
International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC), and the Fisheries
Directors affected states, or their
designees, to modify annual regulations
during the season. These inseason
provisions allow the Regional
Administrator to modify sport fishing
periods, bag limits, size limits, days per
calendar week, and subarea quotas, if it
is determined it is necessary to meet the
allocation objectives and the action will
not result in exceeding the catch limit.
NMFS has determined that inseason
action to modify the 2020 annual
regulations is warranted at this time to
ensure the Area 2A allocations as
published in Table 1 of the final rule (85
FR 25317, May 1, 2020) are met. As
stated above, inseason modification of
the fishing season is authorized by
Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c).
After consultation with IPHC, the
Council, the Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(ODFW), NMFS determined the
following inseason actions are necessary
to meet the management objective of
attaining the quota, and fall under
inseason management provisions
allowing for the modification of sport
fishing periods and sport fishing days
per calendar week. Notice of these
additional dates and closure of the
fisheries will also be announced on the
NMFS hotline at 206–526–6667 or 800–
662–9825.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:58 Jul 27, 2020
Jkt 250001
Inseason Action #1
Description of the action: Inseason
action #1 implements additional season
dates for the Puget Sound, North and
South Coast subareas in the State of
Washington.
Reason for the action: The purpose of
this inseason action is to provide
additional opportunity for anglers in
Washington’s Puget Sound, North and
South Coast subareas to achieve the
catch limit. Since late April,
Washington anglers have been unable to
access boat ramps and other facilities
needed for recreational fishing in many
coastal areas, resulting in lower than
normal landings. For reference, in 2018
and 2019, 92 percent of the available
recreational quota was attained during
the fishing season that concluded in
June. Through June 2020, anglers in the
Washington recreational fisheries have
caught 17 percent of the available quota.
Without additional season days, the
season dates implemented in the May 1,
2020 (85 FR 25317) final rule would
likely result in substantial unharvested
quota.
Therefore, in order for anglers to have
the opportunity to achieve the subarea
allocation, and with little risk of the
quota being exceeded, through this
action NMFS is announcing new season
dates in August and September that
were not previously announced in the
May 1, 2020 final rule (85 FR 25317).
Specifically, the additional season dates
for the Puget Sound and North Coast
subareas are August 6–8, 13–15, 20–22,
27–29, September 3–5, 10–12, 17–19,
and 24–26, 2020. For the South Coast,
the additional season dates are August
6, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30, September 3,
6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, and 27, 2020. If
catch and effort are lower than
anticipated, NMFS may also announce
additional fishing days for the South
Coast on the NMFS hotline at 206–526–
6667 or 800–662–9825, that may
include August 28, September 4, and
September 11, 2020.
These dates were determined in
consultation with WDFW, the Council,
and IPHC. Notice of these and potential
additional dates and closure of the
fisheries will also be announced on the
NMFS hotline at 206–526–6667 or 800–
662–9825.
Inseason Action #2
Description of the action: Inseason
action #2 implements additional season
dates for the Columbia River subarea, an
area that includes waters off both the
States of Washington and Oregon.
Reason for the action: The purpose of
this inseason action is to provide
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
additional opportunity for anglers in the
Columbia River subarea to achieve the
catch limit. Since late April,
Washington and Oregon anglers have
been unable to access boat ramps and
other facilities needed for recreational
fishing in the Columbia River subarea,
and have therefore not attained any of
the 18,450 lb (8.37 mt) allocation. As a
result, NMFS is adding season dates in
addition to those implemented in the
May 1, 2020 final rule (85 FR 25317).
For reference, in 2018 and 2019, anglers
harvested all of the available quota
during May and June. Without
additional days, the fishery would likely
result in substantial unharvested quota.
Therefore, in order for anglers to have
the opportunity to achieve the subarea
allocation, NMFS is adding season dates
to August and September. Specifically,
the additional season dates for the alldepth fishery in the Columbia River
subarea are August 6, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27,
30, September 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24,
and 27, 2020. If catch and effort are
lower than anticipated, NMFS may also
announce additional fishing days for the
Columbia River on the NMFS hotline at
206–526–6667 or 800–662–9825, that
may include August 28, September 4,
and September 11, 2020. For the
nearshore fishery in the Columbia River
subarea, the fishery will be open August
10, 2020, and continue on Monday,
Tuesday, and Wednesday each week
until the nearshore allocation is taken or
September 30, 2020, whichever is
earlier.
Weekly quota monitoring reports for
the recreational fisheries in Washington,
Oregon, and California are available on
their respective websites. NMFS and the
IPHC will continue to monitor
recreational catch obtained via state
sampling procedures, and, if necessary,
will make inseason adjustments to the
Pacific halibut recreational fishery.
NMFS will provide notice of inseason
changes on the NMFS hotline at 206–
526–6667 or 800–662–9825. The IPHC
will announce inseason changes via
news release on their website at https://
iphc.int/.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of
1982. This action is required by 50 CFR
300.63(c) and authorized by IPHC
regulations published March 13, 2020
(85 FR 14586), which is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B),
there is good cause to waive prior notice
and an opportunity for public comment
on this action, as notice and comment
would be impracticable and contrary to
the public interest. Prior notice and
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28JYR1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 145 / Tuesday, July 28, 2020 / Rules and Regulations
opportunity for public comment was
impracticable because NMFS had
insufficient time between when
adequate landings information became
available to determine if additional days
would be necessary, and when those
dates needed to occur within the season.
To ensure the regulated public is fully
aware of this action, notice of this
regulatory action will also be provided
to anglers through a telephone hotline,
news release, and by the relevant state
fish and wildlife agencies. This notice
complies with the requirements of the
annual management measures for
Pacific halibut recreational fisheries
published May 1, 2020 (85 FR 25317)
and IPHC regulations published March
13, 2020 (85 FR 14586). While there is
not time for prior notice and comment,
NMFS will receive public comments for
15 days after publication of this action,
in accordance with 50 CFR
300.63(c)(4)(ii). No aspect of this action
is controversial, and changes of this
nature were anticipated in the final rule
for the Pacific halibut Catch Sharing
Plan and annual management measures
which published May 1, 2020 (85 FR
25317).
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in
effective date and make this action
effective immediately upon publication,
as a delay in effectiveness of this action
would constrain fishing opportunity
and be inconsistent with the goals of the
Catch Sharing Plan and current
management measures, as well as
potentially cause economic harm to the
associated fishing communities.
Regulations allow the Regional
Administrator to modify sport fishing
periods, bag limits, size limits, days per
calendar week, and subarea quotas,
provided that the action allows
allocation objectives to be met and will
not result in exceeding the catch limit
for the area. NMFS recently received
information on the progress of landings
in the recreational fisheries in
Washington and the Columbia River
subareas, necessitating new dates be
added to the fishery to ensure optimal
and sustainable harvest of the quota. A
delay in the effectiveness of these new
dates would not allow the allocation
objectives of this fishery to be met, as
the fishery is scheduled to conclude by
September 30, according to both the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:58 Jul 27, 2020
Jkt 250001
May 1, 2020 final rule (85 FR 25317)
and the Council’s Catch Sharing Plan.
Dated: July 23, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020–16345 Filed 7–27–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 200221–0062]
RTID 0648–XA314
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reapportionment of
the 2020 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Halibut
Prohibited Species Catch Limits for the
Trawl Deep-Water and Shallow-Water
Fishery Categories
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule;
reapportionment.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reapportioning the
seasonal apportionments of the 2020
Pacific halibut prohibited species catch
(PSC) limits for the trawl deep-water
and shallow-water species fishery
categories in the Gulf of Alaska. This
action is necessary to account for the
actual halibut PSC use by the trawl
deep-water and shallow-water species
fishery categories from May 15, 2020
through June 30, 2020. This action is
consistent with the goals and objectives
of the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), July 23, 2020 through
2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
Gulf of Alaska (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
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4700
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45343
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 final 2020 and 2021 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(85 FR 13802, March 10, 2020)
apportions the 2020 Pacific halibut PSC
limit for trawl gear in the GOA to two
trawl fishery categories: A deep-water
species fishery and a shallow-water
species fishery. The halibut PSC limit
for these two trawl fishery categories is
further apportioned by season,
including four seasonal apportionments
to the shallow-water species fishery and
four seasonal apportionments to the
deep-water species fishery. The two
fishery categories also are apportioned a
combined, fifth seasonal halibut PSC
limit. Unused seasonal apportionments
are added to the next season
apportionment during a fishing year.
Regulations at § 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)
require NMFS to combine management
of the available trawl halibut PSC limits
in the second season (April 1 through
July 1) deep-water and shallow-water
species fishery categories for use in
either fishery from May 15 through June
30 of each year. Furthermore, NMFS is
required to reapportion the halibut PSC
limit between the deep-water and
shallow-water species fisheries after
June 30 to account for actual halibut
PSC use by each fishery category during
May 15 through June 30. As of July 22,
2020, NMFS has determined that the
trawl deep-water and shallow-water
fisheries used 128 metric tons (mt) and
43 mt of halibut PSC, respectively, from
May 15 through June 30. Accordingly,
pursuant to § 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D), the
Regional Administrator is
reapportioning the combined first and
second seasonal apportionments (860
mt) of halibut PSC limit between the
trawl deep-water and shallow-water
fishery categories to account for the
actual PSC use (533 mt) in each fishery
from January 1, 2020 through June 30,
2020. Therefore, Table 15 of the final
2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (85 FR 13802,
March 10, 2020) is revised consistent
with this adjustment.
E:\FR\FM\28JYR1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 28, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45341-45343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16345]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[Docket No. 200427-0121]
RTID 0648-XW034
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan; Inseason Action
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document announces additional season dates for the
Washington and Columbia River Pacific halibut recreational fisheries in
the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A off
Washington, Oregon, and California. This action is intended to conserve
Pacific halibut and provide angler opportunity where available.
DATES: This action is effective July 27, 2020, through December 31,
2020. Submit comments on or before August 12, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2019-0120, by
either of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0120, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Barry Thom, c/o Kathryn
Blair, West Coast Region, NMFS, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100,
Portland, OR 97232.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public
record and NMFS will post them for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
Docket: This rule is accessible via the internet at the Office of
the Federal Register website at https://www.federalregister.gov/.
Background information and documents are available at the NOAA
Fisheries website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/2020-pacific-halibut-catch-sharing-plan and at the Council's website at
https://www.pcouncil.org. Other comments received may be accessed
through www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathryn Blair, phone: 503-231-6858,
[[Page 45342]]
fax: 503-231-6893, or email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 1, 2020, NMFS published a final rule
approving changes to the Pacific halibut Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan and
recreational (sport) management measures for 2020 (85 FR 25317), as
authorized by the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773-
773(k)). The 2020 Catch Sharing Plan provides a recommended framework
for NMFS' annual management measures and subarea allocations based on
the 2020 Area 2A Pacific halibut catch limit of 1,500,000 pounds (lb)
(680.4 metric tons (mt)). These Pacific halibut management measures
include recreational fishery season dates and subarea allocations.
Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c), ``Flexible Inseason
Management Provisions for Sport Halibut Fisheries in Area 2A,'' allow
the NMFS' Regional Administrator, after consultation with the Chairman
of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), the Executive
Director of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), and
the Fisheries Directors affected states, or their designees, to modify
annual regulations during the season. These inseason provisions allow
the Regional Administrator to modify sport fishing periods, bag limits,
size limits, days per calendar week, and subarea quotas, if it is
determined it is necessary to meet the allocation objectives and the
action will not result in exceeding the catch limit.
NMFS has determined that inseason action to modify the 2020 annual
regulations is warranted at this time to ensure the Area 2A allocations
as published in Table 1 of the final rule (85 FR 25317, May 1, 2020)
are met. As stated above, inseason modification of the fishing season
is authorized by Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c). After
consultation with IPHC, the Council, the Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(ODFW), NMFS determined the following inseason actions are necessary to
meet the management objective of attaining the quota, and fall under
inseason management provisions allowing for the modification of sport
fishing periods and sport fishing days per calendar week. Notice of
these additional dates and closure of the fisheries will also be
announced on the NMFS hotline at 206-526-6667 or 800-662-9825.
Inseason Action
Inseason Action #1
Description of the action: Inseason action #1 implements additional
season dates for the Puget Sound, North and South Coast subareas in the
State of Washington.
Reason for the action: The purpose of this inseason action is to
provide additional opportunity for anglers in Washington's Puget Sound,
North and South Coast subareas to achieve the catch limit. Since late
April, Washington anglers have been unable to access boat ramps and
other facilities needed for recreational fishing in many coastal areas,
resulting in lower than normal landings. For reference, in 2018 and
2019, 92 percent of the available recreational quota was attained
during the fishing season that concluded in June. Through June 2020,
anglers in the Washington recreational fisheries have caught 17 percent
of the available quota. Without additional season days, the season
dates implemented in the May 1, 2020 (85 FR 25317) final rule would
likely result in substantial unharvested quota.
Therefore, in order for anglers to have the opportunity to achieve
the subarea allocation, and with little risk of the quota being
exceeded, through this action NMFS is announcing new season dates in
August and September that were not previously announced in the May 1,
2020 final rule (85 FR 25317). Specifically, the additional season
dates for the Puget Sound and North Coast subareas are August 6-8, 13-
15, 20-22, 27-29, September 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, and 24-26, 2020. For the
South Coast, the additional season dates are August 6, 13, 16, 20, 23,
27, 30, September 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, and 27, 2020. If catch and
effort are lower than anticipated, NMFS may also announce additional
fishing days for the South Coast on the NMFS hotline at 206-526-6667 or
800-662-9825, that may include August 28, September 4, and September
11, 2020.
These dates were determined in consultation with WDFW, the Council,
and IPHC. Notice of these and potential additional dates and closure of
the fisheries will also be announced on the NMFS hotline at 206-526-
6667 or 800-662-9825.
Inseason Action #2
Description of the action: Inseason action #2 implements additional
season dates for the Columbia River subarea, an area that includes
waters off both the States of Washington and Oregon.
Reason for the action: The purpose of this inseason action is to
provide additional opportunity for anglers in the Columbia River
subarea to achieve the catch limit. Since late April, Washington and
Oregon anglers have been unable to access boat ramps and other
facilities needed for recreational fishing in the Columbia River
subarea, and have therefore not attained any of the 18,450 lb (8.37 mt)
allocation. As a result, NMFS is adding season dates in addition to
those implemented in the May 1, 2020 final rule (85 FR 25317). For
reference, in 2018 and 2019, anglers harvested all of the available
quota during May and June. Without additional days, the fishery would
likely result in substantial unharvested quota.
Therefore, in order for anglers to have the opportunity to achieve
the subarea allocation, NMFS is adding season dates to August and
September. Specifically, the additional season dates for the all-depth
fishery in the Columbia River subarea are August 6, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27,
30, September 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, and 27, 2020. If catch and
effort are lower than anticipated, NMFS may also announce additional
fishing days for the Columbia River on the NMFS hotline at 206-526-6667
or 800-662-9825, that may include August 28, September 4, and September
11, 2020. For the nearshore fishery in the Columbia River subarea, the
fishery will be open August 10, 2020, and continue on Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday each week until the nearshore allocation is taken or
September 30, 2020, whichever is earlier.
Weekly quota monitoring reports for the recreational fisheries in
Washington, Oregon, and California are available on their respective
websites. NMFS and the IPHC will continue to monitor recreational catch
obtained via state sampling procedures, and, if necessary, will make
inseason adjustments to the Pacific halibut recreational fishery. NMFS
will provide notice of inseason changes on the NMFS hotline at 206-526-
6667 or 800-662-9825. The IPHC will announce inseason changes via news
release on their website at https://iphc.int/.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to the Northern Pacific Halibut
Act of 1982. This action is required by 50 CFR 300.63(c) and authorized
by IPHC regulations published March 13, 2020 (85 FR 14586), which is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), there is good cause to waive
prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as
notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. Prior notice and
[[Page 45343]]
opportunity for public comment was impracticable because NMFS had
insufficient time between when adequate landings information became
available to determine if additional days would be necessary, and when
those dates needed to occur within the season. To ensure the regulated
public is fully aware of this action, notice of this regulatory action
will also be provided to anglers through a telephone hotline, news
release, and by the relevant state fish and wildlife agencies. This
notice complies with the requirements of the annual management measures
for Pacific halibut recreational fisheries published May 1, 2020 (85 FR
25317) and IPHC regulations published March 13, 2020 (85 FR 14586).
While there is not time for prior notice and comment, NMFS will receive
public comments for 15 days after publication of this action, in
accordance with 50 CFR 300.63(c)(4)(ii). No aspect of this action is
controversial, and changes of this nature were anticipated in the final
rule for the Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan and annual management
measures which published May 1, 2020 (85 FR 25317).
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day
delay in effective date and make this action effective immediately upon
publication, as a delay in effectiveness of this action would constrain
fishing opportunity and be inconsistent with the goals of the Catch
Sharing Plan and current management measures, as well as potentially
cause economic harm to the associated fishing communities. Regulations
allow the Regional Administrator to modify sport fishing periods, bag
limits, size limits, days per calendar week, and subarea quotas,
provided that the action allows allocation objectives to be met and
will not result in exceeding the catch limit for the area. NMFS
recently received information on the progress of landings in the
recreational fisheries in Washington and the Columbia River subareas,
necessitating new dates be added to the fishery to ensure optimal and
sustainable harvest of the quota. A delay in the effectiveness of these
new dates would not allow the allocation objectives of this fishery to
be met, as the fishery is scheduled to conclude by September 30,
according to both the May 1, 2020 final rule (85 FR 25317) and the
Council's Catch Sharing Plan.
Dated: July 23, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-16345 Filed 7-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
