Rule2025-03979
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
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Published
March 13, 2025
Effective
March 10, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2025 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 48 (Thursday, March 13, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 48 (Thursday, March 13, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03979]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068]
RTID 0648-XE585
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 60 Feet (18.3 Meters)
Length Overall Using Pot 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
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m))
length overall (LOA) using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the A season allowance of the 2025 Pacific cod total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels greater than or
equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 10,
2025, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 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 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.
The A season allowance of the 2025 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot
gear in the BSAI is 5,408 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)(iii), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the A
season apportionment of the 2025 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a
directed fishing allowance to catcher vessels greater than or equal to
60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI will soon be reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot
gear 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
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot
gear 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 March 7, 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: March 7, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03979 Filed 3-10-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 13, 2025.
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