Rule2024-16137
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska
Primary source
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Published
July 23, 2024
Effective
July 18, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 23, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59690-59691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16137]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240227-0061; RTID 0648-XE004]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the West Yakutat District 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 ocean perch
in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 total allowable catch of
Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 18, 2024,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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.
The 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the
West Yakutat District of the GOA is 2,110 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (89 FR 15484, March 4, 2024).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2024 TAC
of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA will
soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
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establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,010 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 100 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 ocean perch in the West Yakutat District 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 directed
fishing of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District 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 July
17, 2024.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries of 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: July 17, 2024.
Lindsay Fullenkamp,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-16137 Filed 7-18-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 23, 2024.
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