Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
| Published date | 21 March 2019 |
| Citation | 84 FR 10437 |
| Record Number | 2019-05391 |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
| Court | Commerce Department,National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10437-10438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05391]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
RIN 0648-XG716
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Hook-and-Line Catcher/Processors 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by hook-
and-line catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch
apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 18,
2019, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 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. Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The A season allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to hook-and-line catcher/processors in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 568 metric tons (mt), as
established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (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 A season
allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to hook-and-line
catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 550 mt and is setting aside the remaining
18 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.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
hook-and-line catcher/processors in the Western Regulatory Area 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 directed fishing closure of Pacific cod by hook-and-
line catcher/processors 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
March 15, 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.
[[Page 10438]]
Dated: March 18, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-05391 Filed 3-18-19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
