Rule2024-08272
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
April 18, 2024
Effective
April 16, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting 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 prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2024 total allowable catch of Pacific cod by 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 76 (Thursday, April 18, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 76 (Thursday, April 18, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08272]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240227-0061; RTID 0648-XD883]
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; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting 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 prevent exceeding the
A season allowance of the 2024 total allowable catch of Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 16,
2024, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7416.
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.
The A season allowance of the 2024 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 3,828 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2045 and 2025 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (89 FR 15484, March 4, 2024).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2024
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
3,328 mt and is setting aside the remaining 500 mt as bycatch to
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. 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 Pacific cod by catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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 Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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 April 12, 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 and opportunity for public
comment.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 12, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-08272 Filed 4-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 18, 2024.
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