[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 242 (Thursday, December 17, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78675-78676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31759]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE358


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Hook-
and-Line Fishery by Catcher Vessels in 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 demersal shelf rockfish, by catcher vessels (C/Vs) using hook-and-
line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because 
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the other hook-and-
line fishery by C/Vs in the GOA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 15, 
2015, until 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 (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 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the other hook-
and-line fishery by C/Vs in the GOA is 145 metric tons as established 
by the final 2015 and 2016 harvest specifications for groundfish of the 
GOA (80 FR 10250, February 25, 2015).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(6)(ii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the Pacific halibut bycatch 
allowance specified for the other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in the 
GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for groundfish, other than demersal shelf rockfish, by C/Vs 
using hook-and-line gear in 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 closure of other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in 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 11, 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

[[Page 78676]]

the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity 
for public comment.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and Sec.  679.21 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: December 14, 2015.
Galen R. Tromble,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-31759 Filed 12-14-15; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P