Rule2022-28629
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
January 5, 2023
Effective
January 1, 2023
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 A season allowance of the 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-28629]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220216-0049; RTID 0648-XC650]
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.
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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 A season allowance of the 2023 total allowable
catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using HAL gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1,
2023, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2023.
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 A season allowance of the 2023 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels using HAL gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 35 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022) and inseason
adjustment (87 FR 80088, December 29, 2022). The Regional Administrator
has determined that the 2023 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 2023 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 0 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 December 29, 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: December 30, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-28629 Filed 12-30-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 5, 2023.
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