Rule2023-17489
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Rockfish” in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
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Published
August 15, 2023
Effective
August 12, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of "other rockfish" in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2023 "other rockfish" total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55419-55420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17489]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230306-0065; RTID 0648-XD127]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other
Rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands 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 retention of ``other rockfish'' in the
Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2023
``other rockfish'' total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the BSAI has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 12,
2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
[[Page 55420]]
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 (Magnuson-
Stevens 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 ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of
the BSAI is 380 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 14926,
March 10, 2023). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the 2023 ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that
``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI be
treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under
Sec. 679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except ``other
rockfish'' species in the Aleutian Islands subarea caught by catcher
vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in Sec.
679.20(j).
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 retention of
``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands 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
August 9, 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: August 10, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-17489 Filed 8-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 15, 2023.
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