2018-26971. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Operating as Catcher Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
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Start Preamble
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 non-American Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits, and operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using pot gear, in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 10, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY 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 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels, and that are operating as CVs using pot Start Printed Page 64035gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA, is 564 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (83 FR 8768, March 1, 2018).
In accordance with § 680.22(e)(2)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a sideboard directed fishing allowance of 560 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 4 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 680.22(e)(3), the Regional Administrator finds that this sideboard directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are operating as CVs using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 sideboard directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits, and that are operating as CVs using pot 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 December 6, 2018.
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 § 680.22 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Start SignatureDated: December 10, 2018.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26971 Filed 12-10-18; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 12/10/2018
- Published:
- 12/13/2018
- Department:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Temporary rule; closure.
- Document Number:
- 2018-26971
- Dates:
- Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 10, 2018, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2018.
- Pages:
- 64034-64035 (2 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Docket No. 170816769-8162-02
- RINs:
- 0648-XG67
- PDF File:
- 2018-26971.pdf
- Supporting Documents:
- » GOAsafe Nov 2017
- » BSAI_GOA_Specs_SIR_2018_19
- » Dec 2016-GOASafe
- » Oct 2017 -GOA 18-19- SpecsPR-IRFA
- » Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications Supplementary Information Report January 2016
- » Jan 2007-AK-Groundfish-FEIS-ROD
- » Jan 2007-AK-Groundfish-HarvestSpecs-FEIS
- CFR: (1)
- 50 CFR 679