Rule2021-25217
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors 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
November 19, 2021
Effective
November 15, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual allowance of the 2021 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 221 (Friday, November 19, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 221 (Friday, November 19, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64828-64829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25217]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210-0018]
RTID 0648-XA789
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/Processors 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/processors using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the annual allowance of the 2021 total allowable
catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by catcher/processors using HAL gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 15,
2021, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2021.
[[Page 64829]]
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.
The annual allowance of the 2021 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to
catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA is 518 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and 2022
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (86 FR 10184, February
19, 2021).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the annual allowance of the 2021
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher/processors using HAL gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
502 mt and is setting aside the remaining 16 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/processors using HAL 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
for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using HAL 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 November 12, 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: November 15, 2021.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-25217 Filed 11-15-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 19, 2021.
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