[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35149-35150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15915]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG370


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in 
the Aleutian Islands Subarea of 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for sablefish by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the 2018 sablefish initial total allowable catch 
(ITAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 20, 2018, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

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

[[Page 35150]]

appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2018 sablefish trawl ITAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of 
the BSAI is 422 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2018 and 
2019 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (83 FR 8365, 
February 27, 2018). In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has 
determined that the 2018 sablefish trawl ITAC in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea of the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 80 mt, 
and is setting aside the remaining 342 mt as incidental catch. In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator 
finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed trawl fishing for non-
Community Development Quota sablefish in the Aleutian Islands subarea 
of the BSAI. While this closure is effective 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 fishing closure for sablefish by vessels using 
trawl gear in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable 
to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most 
recent, relevant data only became available as of July 19, 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.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: July 20, 2018.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15915 Filed 7-20-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P