[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 71828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-28132]



[[Page 71828]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02; RTID 0648-XY062]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook 
Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amount, 3,342 
Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit, from the vessels 
participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory 
area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to vessels participating in directed 
fishing for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA. This 
action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 23, 
2019, until 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)).
    The 2019 Chinook salmon PSC limit for vessels directed fishing for 
pollock using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 
18,316 Chinook salmon (Sec.  679.21(h)(2)(ii)).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that the vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA will not require 
3,342 Chinook salmon of the Chinook salmon PSC limit allocated to those 
vessels under Sec.  679.21(h)(2)(ii)). Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec.  679.21(h)(5)(iii) and taking into account the need of the sectors 
for Chinook salmon PSC, and following the limits set forth in Sec.  
679.21(h)(5)(iv)(A), NMFS reapportions 3,342 Chinook salmon PSC limit 
to vessels participating in the directed fishery for pollock in the 
Western Regulatory area of the GOA.
    The 2019 Chinook salmon PSC limits are revised as follows: 14,974 
Chinook salmon for vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA (18,316 minus 3,342 
Chinook salmon) and 10,026 Chinook salmon for vessels participating in 
the directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the 
GOA (6,684 plus 3,342 Chinook salmon).

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. NMFS 
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
December 18, 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: December 23, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-28132 Filed 12-23-19; 4:15 pm]
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