Rule2022-26029
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
November 29, 2022
Effective
November 23, 2022
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 2022 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 87 Issue 228 (Tuesday, November 29, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 29, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73257-73258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26029]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220223-0054]
RTID 0648-XC583
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 2022 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.), November 23,
2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022.
[[Page 73258]]
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 Pacific ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the
BSAI is 10,352 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2022 and
2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI and groundfish
reserve apportionment (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022, and 87 FR 66611,
November 4, 2022).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the 2022 initial
total allowable catch (ITAC) 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 10,282
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.
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 November 21, 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: November 23, 2022.
Sasha Ann Pryborowski,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-26029 Filed 11-23-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 29, 2022.
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