Rule2023-13896
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish 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
June 29, 2023
Effective
June 27, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for non-Community Development Quota (CDQ) sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023 non-CDQ sablefish initial total allowable catch (ITAC) by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 124 (Thursday, June 29, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 124 (Thursday, June 29, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42032-42033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13896]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230306-0065; RTID 0648-XD117]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish 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 non-Community
Development Quota (CDQ) sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023
non-CDQ sablefish initial total allowable catch (ITAC) by vessels using
trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 27, 2023,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
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 2023 non-CDQ sablefish ITAC by vessels using trawl gear in the
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI is 3,398 metric tons (mt) as established
by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the 2023 ITAC for
non-CDQ sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea
of the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator
is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,100 mt, and is
setting aside the remaining 2,298 mt as bycatch
[[Page 42033]]
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, in
accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for non-CDQ sablefish by vessels using trawl gear 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 non-CDQ
sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the 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 June 26, 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: June 26, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-13896 Filed 6-27-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 29, 2023.
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