Rule2024-13786
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of 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
June 24, 2024
Effective
June 18, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch (POP) in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2024 total allowable catch of POP specified for the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 121 (Monday, June 24, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 121 (Monday, June 24, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52407]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13786]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XE058]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea 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; modification of a closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch (POP)
in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2024
total allowable catch of POP specified for the Bering Sea subarea of
the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 12 p.m., Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 18, 2024,
through 12 a.m., A.l.t., December 31, 2024. Comments must be received
at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., July 9, 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
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) exclusive
economic zone 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 parts 600 and
679.
NMFS closed directed fishing for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of
the BSAI under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024).
NMFS has determined that approximately 4,500 metric tons of POP
remain in the directed fishing allowance. 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 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering Sea subarea
of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening
directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective
12 p.m., A.l.t., June 17, 2024, through 12 a.m., A.l.t., December 31,
2024. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters
dependent on POP in this area.
The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors
in reaching this decision: (1) the current catch of POP in the BSAI;
and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting
patterns of vessels 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 and would delay the opening of directed
fishing for POP in the Bering Sea 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 June 14, 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 POP in the Bering Sea 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 July 9, 2024.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 18, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-13786 Filed 6-18-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 24, 2024.
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