Rule2021-15537
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
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Published
July 21, 2021
Effective
July 17, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of non-Community Development Quota (CDQ) sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2021 non-CDQ sablefish initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will be reached.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 137 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15537]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210217-0022; RTID 0648-XB231]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in
the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
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 retention of non-Community Development
Quota (CDQ) sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI).
This action is necessary because the 2021 non-CDQ sablefish initial
total allowable catch (ITAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will
be reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 17, 2021,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI 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 2021 non-CDQ sablefish trawl ITAC in the Bering Sea subarea of
the BSAI is 1,443 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and
2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (86 FR 11449,
February 25, 2021). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the 2021 non-CDQ sablefish trawl ITAC in the Bering Sea
subarea of the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring
that non-CDQ sablefish caught with vessels using trawl gear in the
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI be treated as prohibited species in
accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was
issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be 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 prohibited retention of
non-CDQ sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea
of 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 July 15, 2021.
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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 16, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15537 Filed 7-16-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 21, 2021.
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