Rule2022-18248
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
August 24, 2022
Effective
August 20, 2022
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 2022 Kamchatka flounder initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18248]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220223-0054; RTID 0648-XC014]
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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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 2022 Kamchatka flounder initial
total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 20,
2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022.
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 2022 Kamchatka flounder ITAC in the BSAI is 9,214 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications
for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022) and inseason
action (87 FR 43220, July 20, 2022). In accordance with Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that the 2022 Kamchatka flounder ITAC in
the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 8,214 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 1,000 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 August 18, 2022.
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 19, 2022.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18248 Filed 8-19-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 24, 2022.
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