Rule2023-18978
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central 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
September 1, 2023
Effective
September 1, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60383-60384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18978]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD283]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall
Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska
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 Pacific cod by catcher
vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length
overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2023
total allowable catch of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
[[Page 60384]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-581-7241.
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 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length
overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 738
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)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS has determined that the 2023 Pacific cod TAC apportioned
to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length
overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that Pacific cod caught by
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length
overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(a).
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
Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2
m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 August 25, 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 29, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-18978 Filed 8-31-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 1, 2023.
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