Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/12/20/2017-27429/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-inseason-adjustment-to-the-2018-gulf-of-alaska
Timestamp: 2018-04-20 09:34:37
Document Index: 107662022

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679']

Federal Register :: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2018 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
Effective 0000 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2018, until the effective date of the final 2018 and 2019 harvest specifications for GOA groundfish, unless otherwise modified or superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal Register.
82 FR 60327
60327-60329 (3 pages)
2017-27429
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-27429 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2017-27429
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 60327
You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127 by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​NOAA-NMFS-2016-0127, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
The final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) set the 2018 pollock TAC at 163,479 metric tons (mt) and the 2018 Pacific cod TAC at 57,825 mt in the GOA. In December 2017, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended a 2018 pollock TAC of 166,228 mt for the GOA, which is more than the 163,479 mt established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council also recommended a 2018 Pacific cod TAC of 13,096 mt for the GOA, which is less than the 57,825 mt established by the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended 2018 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE), dated November 2017, which NMFS has determined is the best available scientific information for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pollock and Pacific cod are a principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock and Pacific cod harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The regulations at § 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will be apportioned. The regulations at § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and § 679.20(a)(12)(i) specify how the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2017 SAFE report for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to § 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2018 GOA pollock TAC to 166,228 mt and the 2018 GOA Pacific cod TAC to 13,096 mt. Therefore, Table 2 of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) is revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), Table 4 of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) is revised for the 2018 TACs of pollock in the Central and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
A (Jan 20-Mar 10) 1,317 3.497% 27,314 72.537% 9,025 23.966% 37,656
B (Mar 10-May 31) 1,317 3.497% 32,155 85.392% 4,184 11.111% 37,656
C (Aug 25-Oct 1) 13,777 36.587% 10,013 26.591% 13,865 36.821% 37,656
Start Printed Page 60328
D (Oct 1-Nov 1) 13,777 36.587% 10,013 26.591% 13,865 36.821% 37,656
Annual Total 30,188 79,495 40,939 150,622
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and § 679.20(a)(12)(i), Table 6 of the final 2017 and 2018 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (82 FR 12032, February 27, 2017) is revised for the 2018 seasonal apportionments and allocation of Pacific cod TAC in the GOA consistent with this adjustment.
Jig (2.5% of TAC) 141 N/A 85 N/A 57
Hook-and-line CV 77 0.70 39 0.70 39
Hook-and-line C/P 1,092 10.90 601 8.90 491
Trawl CV 2,118 27.70 1,528 10.70 590
Trawl C/P 132 0.90 50 1.50 83
All Pot CV and Pot C/P 2,096 19.80 1,092 18.20 1,004
Total 5,657 60.00 3,394 40.00 2,263
Jig (1.0% of TAC) 61 N/A 37 N/A 24
Hook-and-line <50 CV 880 9.32 562 5.29 319
Hook-and-line ≥50 CV 404 5.61 338 1.10 66
Hook-and-line C/P 308 4.11 248 1.00 60
Trawl CV 1 2,507 21.14 1,274 20.45 1,233
Trawl C/P 253 2.00 121 2.19 132
All Pot CV and Pot C/P 1,676 17.83 1,075 9.97 601
Total 6,089 60.00 3,653 40.00 2,436
1,350 1,215 135
Note: Seasonal apportionments may not total precisely due to due to rounding.
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 allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for pollock and Pacific cod based on the best scientific information available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 13, 2017, and additional time for prior public comment would result in conservation concerns for the ESA-listed Steller sea lions.
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 Start Printed Page 60329prior notice and opportunity for public comment.
[FR Doc. 2017-27429 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]