[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41568-41569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18607]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 160920866-7167-02]
RIN 0648-XF671


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch 
allowance for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2017 total 
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental 
catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been 
reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 29, 
2017, through 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 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 2017 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch 
apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA is 2,000 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 
2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (82 FR 
12032, February 27, 2017).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2017 TAC 
of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, 
NMFS is requiring that catches of the incidental catch allowance for 
Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be 
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec.  679.21(b). 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

[[Page 41569]]

interest as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent 
fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay prohibiting 
retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific ocean perch 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 22, 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 Sec.  679.21 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 29, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18607 Filed 8-29-17; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P