Rule2023-21844
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
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Published
October 3, 2023
Effective
September 28, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in the CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 190 (Tuesday, October 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67985-67986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21844]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230306-0065]
RTID 0648-XD231
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel in the Central Aleutian District 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 Atka mackerel in the
Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in the
CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access
sector fishery.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 28,
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 exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) for Groundfish of the BSAI 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 TAC of Atka mackerel, in the CAI, allocated to vessels
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery was
established as a directed fishing allowance of 1,542 metric tons by the
final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023) and correction (88 FR 18258, March 28,
2023).
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 Atka
mackerel in the CAI by vessels
[[Page 67986]]
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. 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 the Atka
mackerel directed fishing in the CAI for vessels participating in the
BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of September 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: September 28, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-21844 Filed 9-28-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on October 3, 2023.
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