Rule2024-09350
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Sablefish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
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
May 1, 2024
Effective
May 1, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is opening directed fishing for sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2024 sablefish total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35013-35014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09350]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XD853]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawl
Sablefish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for sablefish by vessels
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI).
This action is necessary to fully use the 2024 sablefish total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to vessels using trawl gear in the
Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2024,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2024. Comments must be
received at the following address (see ADDRESSES) no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., May 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0124, 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-2023-0124 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 ``NA'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
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.
Pursuant to the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) NMFS closed
directed fishing for sablefish using trawl gear in the Bering Sea
subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI under Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii).
As of April 24, 2024, NMFS has determined that approximately 3,380
metric tons (mt) in the Bering Sea subarea and 1,780 mt in the Aleutian
Islands subarea of sablefish initial TAC allocated to trawl gear
remains unharvested. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize
the 2024 sablefish TAC allocated to trawl in the Bering Sea subarea and
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for sablefish by
vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian
Islands subarea of the BSAI. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-
being of harvesters in this area. The Administrator, Alaska Region
(Regional Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching
this decision: (1) the current catch of sablefish allocated to trawl
gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the
BSAI; and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future
harvesting patterns of vessels in participating in this fishery.
[[Page 35014]]
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 opening of directed
fishing for sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea
subarea and 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 April 24, 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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in Bering Sea subarea and the
Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI 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 May 15, 2024.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 25, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09350 Filed 4-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 1, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.