Rule2025-02693
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear 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
February 18, 2025
Effective
February 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2025 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 31 (Tuesday, February 18, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 18, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02693]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XE584]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear 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; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the annual 2025 Pacific cod total allowable catch
(TAC) allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 12,
2025, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Olson, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the BSAI (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 annual apportionment of the 2025 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI is 2,923 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) and inseason
adjustment (89 FR 105478, December 27, 2024).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii)(B), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the annual 2025 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA trawl
catcher/processors in the BSAI is necessary to account for the
incidental catch in other anticipated fisheries. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 2,923 mt as incidental catch 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 AFA trawl catcher/
processors in the BSAI.
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
AFA trawl catcher/processors in 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 February 11, 2025.
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: February 11, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02693 Filed 2-12-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 18, 2025.
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