[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 198 (Friday, October 11, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 54791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22318]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 150818742-6210-02]
RIN 0648-XY045


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Pollock 
Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western Regulatory Area 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 pollock by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 Chinook 
salmon prohibited species catch limit established for vessels using 
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 8, 
2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.

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 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 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for 
vessels directed fishing for pollock using trawl gear in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 6,684 Chinook salmon (Sec.  
679.21(h)(2)(i)).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(h)(8), the Regional Administrator 
has determined that the 2019 Chinook salmon PSC limit established for 
vessels directed fishing for pollock using trawl gear in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels using trawl gear in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Acting 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 a 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 closing directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
using trawl gear 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 October 7, 
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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: October 8, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22318 Filed 10-8-19; 4:15 pm]
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