Rule2025-04785
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Primary source
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Published
March 20, 2025
Effective
March 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 53 (Thursday, March 20, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 53 (Thursday, March 20, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04785]
[[Page 13100]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240227-0061; RTID 0648-XE588]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line
Gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 cod by
catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall
using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the
A season allowance of the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned
to catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 17, 2025
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7416.
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 part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The A season allowance of the 2025 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to
catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,390 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications
for groundfish in the GOA (89 FR 15484, March 4, 2024) and the inseason
adjustment (89 FR 103698, December 19, 2024).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2025
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2
m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,190 mt and is setting
aside the remaining 200 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
catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL
gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 Pacific cod by
catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL
gear in the Central Regulatory Area 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 March 17, 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 17, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-04785 Filed 3-17-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on March 20, 2025.
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