[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62502-62503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26372]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE180


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; 
Reapportionment of the 2015 Gulf of Alaska Pacific Halibut Prohibited 
Species Catch Limits for the Trawl Deep-Water and Shallow-Water Fishery 
Categories; Correction

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is correcting a 
temporary rule that reapportioned halibut prohibited species catch 
limits in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) that published on September 11, 
2015. The table in the document contained errors.

DATES: Effective October 16, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Need for Correction

    NMFS published the reapportionment of the 2015 Gulf of Alaska 
Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the trawl deep-
water and shallow-water fishery categories on September 11, 2015. The 
table in the document contained errors in the July 1-September 1 row 
and the Subtotal January 20-October 1 row. This correction will not 
affect the fishing operations. These corrections are necessary to 
provide the correct 2015 halibut PSC apportionments and eliminate 
potential confusion for participants in the fisheries.

Correction

    In the Federal Register of September 11, 2015, (80 FR 54737) in FR 
Doc. 2015-22934, on page 54738, Table 16 is corrected and reprinted in 
its entirety to read as follows:

Table 16--Final 2015 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Trawl Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-Water Species
                            Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
                                           [Values are in metric tons]
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                   Season                     Shallow-water             Deep-water \1\                 Total
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January 20-April 1.........................             135  35.................................             170
April 1-July 1.............................             291  375................................             666
Subtotal of combined first and second                   426  410................................             836
 season limit (January 20-July 1).

[[Page 62503]]

 
July 1-September 1.........................             176  352................................             528
September 1-October 1......................             132  Any remainder......................             132
Subtotal January 20-October 1..............             734  762................................           1,496
October 1-December 31 \2\..................  ..............  ...................................             264
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    Total..................................  ..............  ...................................           1,760
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\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
  season (July 1 through September 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
  fifth season (October 1 through December 31).

Classification

    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 correction amendment corrects the unintentional 
transposition of the 3rd season halibut apportionments between deep-
water and shallow water fishery categories in Table 16 and does not 
change operating practices in the fisheries. Corrections should be made 
as soon as possible to avoid confusion for participants in the 
fisheries.
    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.

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

    Dated: October 13, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-26372 Filed 10-15-15; 8:45 am]
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