Rule2025-07065
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
Primary source
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Published
April 24, 2025
Effective
April 21, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 78 (Thursday, April 24, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 78 (Thursday, April 24, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 17229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-07065]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XE593]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 630 in 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 pollock in
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2025 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 21,
2025, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., May 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 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 and recommended 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 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 630 of the GOA is 16,751 metric tons (mt) as established by the
final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(90 FR 12468, March 18, 2025).
In accordance with Sec. Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i) and
679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator has determined that the
A season allowance of the 2025 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630
of the GOA will soon be or has been reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 16,251 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 500 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 or will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of pollock in
Statistical Area 630 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), of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 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 in the A season for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in 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
April 20, 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: April 21, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-07065 Filed 4-21-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 24, 2025.
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