Rule2022-18825
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western 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
August 31, 2022
Effective
September 1, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18825]
[[Page 53418]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220216-0049; RTID 0648-XC307]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.
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 2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to
catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA is 94 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2022 and 2023
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (87 FR 11599, March 2,
2022). The Regional Administrator has determined that the 2022 TAC
apportioned to catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA is necessary to account for the incidental catch of
this species in other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2022
fishing year. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the
Regional Administrator establishes the directed fishing allowance for
catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA as zero mt. Consequently, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for catcher
vessels using HAL gear in the Western 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 closure of Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western 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 25, 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 26, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18825 Filed 8-30-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 31, 2022.
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.