[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 153 (Thursday, August 8, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38885-38886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-16982]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
RIN 0648-XH071
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Dusky
Rockfish in the West Yakutat District of 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 dusky rockfish in the
West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 total allowable catch of dusky
rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 5,
2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 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 2019 total allowable catch (TAC) of dusky rockfish in the West
Yakutat District of the GOA is 95 metric tons (mt) as established by
the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish of the
(84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2019 TAC
of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 90 mt, and is setting aside the remaining
5 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In
accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator
finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached.
[[Page 38886]]
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for dusky rockfish
in the West Yakutat District of the GOA. 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 prohibition of directed fishing for dusky rockfish in
the West Yakutat District 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 August 2, 2019.
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: August 5, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-16982 Filed 8-5-19; 4:15 pm]
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