[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48691-48692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-19529]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 131021878-4158-02]
RIN 0648-XD439
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel 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; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the
Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 2014 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in this area
allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access
fishery.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 13, 2014,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
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
[[Page 48692]]
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 2014 TAC of Atka mackerel, in the CAI, allocated to vessels
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was established
as a directed fishing allowance of 856 metric tons by the final 2014
and 2015 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (79 FR
12108, March 4, 2014).
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 Atka
mackerel in the CAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited
access fishery.
After the effective dates of this closure, 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 a 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 the Atka mackerel directed fishery in the
CAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
August 12, 2014. 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: August 13, 2014.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-19529 Filed 8-13-14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P