Rule2023-15060
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Longnose Skates in the Eastern 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
July 17, 2023
Effective
July 12, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2023 total allowable catch of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 135 (Monday, July 17, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 135 (Monday, July 17, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45371-45372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15060]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD057]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Longnose
Skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of longnose skates in the
Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary because
[[Page 45372]]
the 2023 total allowable catch of longnose skates in the Eastern
Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 12, 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 longnose skates in the
Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is 517 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2023 TAC
of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has been
reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that longnose skates in the
Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in
accordance with Sec. 679.21(a)(2).
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 prohibiting the retention of
longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was
unable to publish a notification providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July
11, 2023.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), 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: July 12, 2023.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15060 Filed 7-12-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 17, 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.