Rule2022-22628
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch 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
October 17, 2022
Effective
October 13, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 199 (Monday, October 17, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62737-62738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22628]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220216-0049]
RTID 0648-XC462
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch 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 retention of the incidental catch
allowance for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2022 total
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental
catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been
reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 13,
2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch
apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA is 2,500 metric tons (mt) as established by the final
2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (87 FR
11559, March 2, 2022).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS
[[Page 62738]]
(Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2022 TAC of Pacific
ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is
requiring that catches of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific
ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as
prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b). This closure
does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program for the Central GOA.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is 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 prohibiting the retention of Pacific ocean perch 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 October 12, 2022.
The AA 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.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.21 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 13, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-22628 Filed 10-13-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 17, 2022.
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