Rule2023-01170
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
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Published
January 23, 2023
Effective
January 20, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using nonpelagic trawl gear in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game did not establish a guideline harvest level fishery for red king crab in the Bristol Bay area for the 2022/2023 fishing year.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 14 (Monday, January 23, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01170]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220223-0054; RTID 0648-XC684]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish
in the Red King Crab Savings 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 groundfish by vessels
using nonpelagic trawl gear in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is
necessary because the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game did
not establish a guideline harvest level fishery for red king crab in
the Bristol Bay area for the 2022/2023 fishing year.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20,
2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 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.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(ii)(B)(1), the Regional
Administrator is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels
using nonpelagic trawl gear in the Red King Crab Saving Subarea of the
BSAI. This action is necessary because the State of Alaska, Department
of Fish and Game did not establish a guideline harvest level fishery
for red king crab in the Bristol Bay area for the 2022/2023 fishing
year.
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 directed fishing closure
of groundfish by vessels using nonpelagic trawl gear in the Red King
Crab Savings Subarea of 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 January 17, 2023.
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: January 18, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-01170 Filed 1-18-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 23, 2023.
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