[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 2, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49496-49497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21409]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 170817779-8161-02]
RIN 0648-XG509


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea 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; modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in 
the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2018 total 
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch specified for the Bering Sea 
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 1, 2018, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2018. Comments must be received 
at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 17, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, by 
either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2017-0108, click the ``Comment 
Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your 
comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) exclusive 
economic zone 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 appear at 
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch (POP) in the 
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) (83 FR 
8365, February 27, 2018).
    NMFS has determined that approximately 5,200 metric tons of POP 
remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully 
utilize the 2018 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering Sea subarea 
of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening 
directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective 
1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2018, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 
31, 2018. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters 
dependent on POP in this area.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors 
in reaching this decision: (1) The current catch of POP in the BSAI 
and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting 
patterns of vessels participating in this fishery.

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 opening of POP directed fishing in the Bering Sea 
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 September 26, 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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to be harvested in an 
expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under 
Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written 
comments on this action to the above address until October 17, 2018.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and Sec.  679.25 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.


[[Page 49497]]


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

    Dated: September 27, 2018.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21409 Filed 10-1-18; 8:45 am]
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