Rule2021-18096
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod 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
August 24, 2021
Effective
August 23, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and- line gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook- and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2021 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 161 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47240-47241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18096]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210217-0022]
RTID 0648-XB349
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific
cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or
equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-
line gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 2021 total allowable
catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
DATES: Effective August 23, 2021, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.
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 Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels using jig gear in
the BSAI is 1,565 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and
2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (86 FR 11449,
February 25, 2021).
The 2021 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels greater than
or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI
is 222 mt as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (86 FR 11449, February 25,
2021).
The 2021 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 2,222
mt as established by final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (86 FR 11449, February 25, 2021).
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator)
has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 1,500 mt of
the 2021 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1) and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear will not be able to harvest
222 mt of the 2021 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(3).
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C), NMFS
apportions 1,500 mt of Pacific cod from the jig vessels to the annual
amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA
using hook-and-line or pot gear. Also, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS reallocates 222 mt from the catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear
to the annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.
The harvest specifications for 2021 Pacific cod included in final
2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (86 FR
11449, February 25, 2021) is revised as follows: 65 mt to vessels using
jig gear, 0 mt to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear, and 3,944 mt to catcher vessels
less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.
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.
This requirement is impracticable and contrary to the public
[[Page 47241]]
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 originally specified apportionment of the Pacific cod TAC.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
August 18, 2021.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA 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: August 18, 2021.
David R. Blankinship,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18096 Filed 8-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 24, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.