[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25967-25968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10601]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XD929


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the 
Western and 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 groundfish, other 
than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear 
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2015 Chinook 
salmon prohibited species catch limit established for non-Rockfish 
Program catcher vessels using trawl gear and directed fishing for 
groundfish, other than pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory 
Areas of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 3, 2015, 
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2015.

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.
    The 2015 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, 
other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 2,700 Chinook salmon (Sec.  
679.21(i)(3)(i)(C)).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(i)(7), the Regional Administrator 
has determined that the 2015 Chinook salmon PSC limit established for 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, 
other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central

[[Page 25968]]

Regulatory Areas of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish (except for pollock) by 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 
and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.

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 closing directed fishing for groundfish, other than 
pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in 
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas 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 April 30, 2015.
    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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 1, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10601 Filed 5-1-15; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P