Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska
Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 222 (Monday, November 20, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2017)
Rules and Regulations
Pages 55055-55056
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2017-25115
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
Docket No. 160920866-7167-02
RIN 0648-XF786
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amount, 404 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 necessary to provide opportunity for harvest of the 2017 pollock TAC, 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.), November 15, 2017, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2017.
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 (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 annual PSC limit of Chinook salmon vessels participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA is 18,316
Page 55056
Chinook salmon, in accordance with Sec. 679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). 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 404 Chinook salmon of the Chinook salmon PSC limit allocated to those vessels under Sec. 679.21(h)(4)(i)(A). Regulations at Sec. 679.21(h)(5)(iii) allow the reapportionment of Chinook salmon PSC limits. 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 404 Chinook salmon to vessels participating in the directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA.
The 2017 Chinook salmon PSC limits are revised as follows: 17,912 Chinook salmon for vessels participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory area of the GOA (18,316 minus 404 Chinook salmon) and 7,088 Chinook salmon for vessels participating in the directed fishery for pollock in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA (6,684 plus 404 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 and would provide opportunity to harvest remaining pollock 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 November 14, 2017.
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: November 15, 2017.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
FR Doc. 2017-25115 Filed 11-15-17; 4:15 pm
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
