Rule2024-02307
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl 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
February 6, 2024
Effective
February 5, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season allowance of the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8081-8082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02307]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD708]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl 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; modification of a closure; request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher
vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season
allowance of the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod
apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 5,
2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2024. Comments must be
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t.,
February 21, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
docket number NOAA-NMFS-2022-0094, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and
enter NOAA-NMFS-2022-0094 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment''
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Gretchen Harrington, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the
FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR parts 600 and 679.
NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA on January
20, 2024. NMFS has determined that as of January 29, 2024,
approximately 3,867 metric tons of Pacific cod remain of the A season
allowance of the 2024 Pacific cod apportionment for catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Therefore,
in accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the A season allowance of the of the
2024 TAC of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator),
considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) the
current catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA; and (2) the harvest capacity and
stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in participating
in this fishery.
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,
[[Page 8082]]
and would delay the opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl 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 January 31, 2024.
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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for Pacific cod by catcher vessels catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested in an expedient
manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec.
679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments
on this action to the above address until February 21, 2024.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 31, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02307 Filed 2-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 6, 2024.
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