[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28389]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF894
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Vessels Using Jig Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable catch
apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 0000 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1,
2018, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2018.
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 A season allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using jig gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 37 metric tons (mt), as established by
the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the
GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) and inseason adjustment (82 FR
12032, February 27, 2017).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the A season
allowance of the 2018 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using jig
gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 37 mt as bycatch to support
other anticipated groundfish fisheries. 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 Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. After the effective date 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 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by vessels
using jig gear in the Central 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 December 27,
2017.
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: December 28, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-28389 Filed 12-28-17; 4:15 pm]
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