Rule2025-08392
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
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
May 13, 2025
Effective
May 8, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors 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 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 91 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20239-20240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08392]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XE810]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/Processors 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/processors 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 Pacific cod
total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to catcher/processors using HAL
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 8, 2025,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 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 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to
catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA is 613 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. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2025
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher/processors using HAL gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be or has been reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 603 mt and is setting aside the remaining 10 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 will be or has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA to prevent exceeding this sector's A season allowance of Pacific
cod TAC.
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
[[Page 20240]]
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 Pacific cod by
catcher/processors using HAL gear in the A season 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 May 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: May 8, 2025.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08392 Filed 5-8-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 13, 2025.
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