Rule2024-19419
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Blackspotted and Rougheye Rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian Districts of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
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Published
August 29, 2024
Effective
August 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of blackspotted and rougheye rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian districts (CAI/ WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2024 blackspotted and rougheye rockfish total allowable catch (TAC) in the CAI/WAI of the BSAI has been reached.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19419]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XD941]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Blackspotted
and Rougheye Rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian
Districts 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; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of blackspotted and rougheye
rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian districts (CAI/
WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI).
This action is necessary because the 2024 blackspotted and rougheye
rockfish total allowable catch (TAC) in the CAI/WAI of the BSAI has
been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 26,
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
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 subparts H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50
CFR part 679.
The 2024 blackspotted and rougheye rockfish TAC in the CAI/WAI of
the BSAI is 181 metric tons as established by the final 2024 and 2025
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March
11, 2024). The Administrator for the Alaska Region of NMFS has
determined that the 2024 blackspotted and rougheye rockfish TAC in the
CAI/WAI of the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(2), NMFS is requiring that blackspotted and rougheye
rockfish in the CAI/WAI of the BSAI be treated in the same manner as a
prohibited species, as described under Sec. 679.21(a), for the
remainder of the year, except blackspotted and rougheye rockfish
species in the CAI/WAI caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line,
pot, or jig gear as described in Sec. 679.20(j).
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 prohibited retention of
blackspotted and rougheye rockfish in the CAI/WAI 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 August 23,
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: August 26, 2024.
Lindsay Fullenkamp,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-19419 Filed 8-26-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 29, 2024.
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