Rule2021-27372
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of 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
December 17, 2021
Effective
December 14, 2021
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Pacific ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 240 (Friday, December 17, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 240 (Friday, December 17, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71585-71586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27372]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210217-0022; RTID 0648-XB563]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch 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 directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch
in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 2021 Pacific ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 14,
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
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 ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the
BSAI is 10,782 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and
2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI and groundfish
reserve release (86 FR 11449, February 25, 2021, and 86 FR 64827,
November 19, 2021).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the 2021 TAC for
Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 10,712 mt, and is setting aside the
remaining 70 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. While this closure remains in effect
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.
[[Page 71586]]
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 Pacific ocean
perch Bering Sea subarea 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 December 13, 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: December 14, 2021.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27372 Filed 12-14-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 17, 2021.
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