Rule2021-15602
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Kamchatka Flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 22, 2021
Effective
July 19, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Kamchatka flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Kamchatka flounder initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 138 (Thursday, July 22, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 138 (Thursday, July 22, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38588-38589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15602]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210217-0022]
RTID 0648-XB064
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Kamchatka
Flounder in 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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[[Page 38589]]
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Kamchatka flounder in
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Kamchatka flounder initial
total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 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 Kamchatka flounder ITAC in the BSAI is 7,635 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)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2021
Kamchatka flounder ITAC in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore,
the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance
of 3,635 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 4,000 mt as incidental
catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance
with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that
this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Kamchatka flounder in the BSAI.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
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 closure of Kamchatka
flounder 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 July 16, 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 19, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15602 Filed 7-19-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 22, 2021.
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