[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16008-16009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07706]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG166


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using 
Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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 Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall 
(LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod 
exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of 
Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using 
jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in 
the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 10, 2018, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the Fishery

[[Page 16009]]

Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area (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.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(2), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that 113 
metric tons of Pacific cod have been caught by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the 
Bogoslof exemption area described at Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1). 
Consequently, the Regional Administrator is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) 
LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod 
exemption area.
    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 directed fishery closure of Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear 
in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area. NMFS was unable to publish 
a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, 
relevant data only became available as of April 9, 2018.
    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.  679.22 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 10, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07706 Filed 4-10-18; 4:15 pm]
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