Rule2023-06685
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in the West Yakutat District 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
March 31, 2023
Effective
March 29, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023 total allowable catch of pollock in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 62 (Friday, March 31, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 62 (Friday, March 31, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19227-19228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06685]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XC716]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
[[Page 19228]]
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the West
Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the 2023 total allowable catch of pollock in the
West Yakutat District of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 29,
2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
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 part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in the West Yakutat
District of the GOA is 7,523 metric tons (mt) as established by the
final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2023 TAC
of pollock in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 7,323 mt, and is setting aside the
remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock
in the West Yakutat District 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 pollock in the
West Yakutat District 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 March 27, 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: March 28, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-06685 Filed 3-28-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 31, 2023.
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.