[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05632]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 140918791-4999-02]
RIN 0648-XE493
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 first seasonal apportionment of 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.), March 11,
2016, until 1200 hours A.l.t., June 10, 2016.
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 first seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch
allowance specified for the other hook-and-line fishery by C/Vs in the
GOA is 120 metric tons as established by the final 2015 and 2016
harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (80 FR 10250, February
25, 2015), for the period from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2016
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2016.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(6)(ii), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the first seasonal
apportionment of 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 the 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 March 7, 2016.
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. Sec. 679.20 and 679.21 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 8, 2016.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05632 Filed 3-9-16; 4:15 pm]
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