Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska, 68484-68485 [2020-24021]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 210 (Thursday, October 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68484-68485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24021]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 200221-0062]
RTID 0648-XA602


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of closure

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical 
Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully 
use the 2020 total allowable catch of pollock in Statistical Area 620 
of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1201 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 27, 
2020, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., October 29, 2020. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
November 10, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by FDMS 
Docket Number NOAA-NMFS-2019-0102 by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0102, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Address written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Records. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

[[Page 68485]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7241.

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. 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 D season allowance of the 2020 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is 6,739 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (85 FR 13802, March 10, 2020).
    NMFS closed directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of 
the GOA under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on October 20, 2020 through a 
separate notice in the Federal Register.
    As of October 23, 2020, NMFS has determined that approximately 900 
metric tons of pollock remain in the D season allowance for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize 
the D season allowance of the 2020 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 
620 of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is 
reopening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the 
GOA, effective 1201 hours, A.l.t., October 27, 2020.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) 
considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The 
catch of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA and, (2) the 
harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of 
vessels in participating in this fishery.

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 opening of directed 
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 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 October 23, 2020.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 26, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24021 Filed 10-26-20; 4:15 pm]
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