[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55055-55056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF786


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook 
Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amount, 404 
Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit, from the vessels 
participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory 
area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to vessels participating in directed 
fishing for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA. This 
action is necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2017 
pollock TAC, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 15, 
2017, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2017.

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 annual PSC limit of Chinook salmon vessels participating in 
directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA 
is 18,316

[[Page 55056]]

Chinook salmon, in accordance with Sec.  679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). The 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has 
determined that the vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA will not require 404 
Chinook salmon of the Chinook salmon PSC limit allocated to those 
vessels under Sec.  679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). Regulations at Sec.  
679.21(h)(5)(iii) allow the reapportionment of Chinook salmon PSC 
limits. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.21(h)(5)(iii) and 
taking into account the need of the sectors for Chinook salmon PSC, and 
following the limits set forth in Sec.  679.21(h)(5)(iv)(A), NMFS 
reapportions 404 Chinook salmon to vessels participating in the 
directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA.
    The 2017 Chinook salmon PSC limits are revised as follows: 17,912 
Chinook salmon for vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA (18,316 minus 404 
Chinook salmon) and 7,088 Chinook salmon for vessels participating in 
the directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the 
GOA (6,684 plus 404 Chinook salmon).

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 provide opportunity to harvest remaining pollock in the Western 
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 November 14, 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: November 15, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-25115 Filed 11-15-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P