Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
| Published date | 04 September 2019 |
| Citation | 84 FR 46457 |
| Record Number | 2019-19045 |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
| Court | National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 171 (Wednesday, September 4, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46457-46458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19045]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
RIN 0648-XY018
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Central 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 Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the
annual allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch
apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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
[[Page 46458]]
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 annual allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch
(TAC) apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA not participating in the cooperative fishery of the
Rockfish Program is 2,148 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 annual
allowance of the 2019 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to trawl catcher
vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is necessary to
account for the incidental catch in other anticipated fisheries.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 2,148 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
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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. This closure
does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program for the Central GOA.
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 catcher
vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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
August 28, 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 29, 2019.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-19045 Filed 8-29-19; 4:15 pm]
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