Rule2022-23526
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas 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 28, 2022
Effective
October 25, 2022
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch of shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 208 (Friday, October 28, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65175-65176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23526]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220216-0049]
RTID 0648-XC499
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker
Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas 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 shortraker rockfish in the
Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch of
shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 12 p.m., Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 25, 2022,
through 12 a.m., A.l.t., December 31, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 parts 600 and 679.
The 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of shortraker rockfish in the
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 280 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2022
shortraker rockfish TAC in the Central Regulatory
[[Page 65176]]
Areas of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring
that shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA be
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b), as
described under Sec. 679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except
shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA caught
by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described
in Sec. 679.20(j). This action does not apply to fishing by trawl
catcher/processors in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Program
for the Central GOA.
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 prohibiting retention of
shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Areas 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 24, 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: October 25, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-23526 Filed 10-25-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 28, 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.