Rule2021-18987
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
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
September 2, 2021
Effective
September 1, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 168 (Thursday, September 2, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 168 (Thursday, September 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49259-49260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18987]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210-0018; RTID 0648-XB321]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall
Using Hook-and-Line Gear 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.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet length overall (LOA)
using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021
Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2021, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allyson Olds, 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. Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The 2021 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-
line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 680 metric tons
(mt), as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications
for groundfish of the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region,
[[Page 49260]]
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2021 Pacific cod
TAC apportioned to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA
using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will
soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing
a directed fishing allowance of 580 mt and is setting aside the
remaining 100 mt as bycatch 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 Pacific
cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-
and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 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 directed fishing closure
of Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA
using hook-and-line gear 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 27, 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 30, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18987 Filed 8-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 2, 2021.
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