2019-18560. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Equal to or Greater Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area  

  • 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 catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2019 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.

    DATES:

    Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 23, 2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (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 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI is zero metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (84 FR 9000, March 13, 2019) and inseason adjustment (84 FR 43727, August 22, 2019).

    In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2019 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.

    While this closure is effective 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 closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of August 22, 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 § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Start Authority

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.

    End Authority Start Signature

    Dated: August 23, 2019.

    Jennifer M. Wallace,

    Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2019-18560 Filed 8-23-19; 4:15 pm]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/23/2019
Published:
08/28/2019
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Temporary rule; closure.
Document Number:
2019-18560
Dates:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 23, 2019, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2019.
Pages:
45115-45115 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 1807136333-9174-02
RINs:
0648-XY02
PDF File:
2019-18560.Pdf
Supporting Documents:
» BSAI GOA Specs SIR 2019-2020
» Oct-2018 Draft Sec Rev bsai-specs-2019-20-irfa
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679