Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Arrowtooth Flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 75239-75240 [2020-26105]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 25, 2020 / Rules and Regulations Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668. Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the comment period ends. 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 is publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 BSAI Management Area (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 2020 ITAC of BSAI arrowtooth flounder was established as 8,500 metric tons (mt), the 2020 ITAC of BSAI ‘‘other flatfish’’ was established as 3,600 mt, the 2020 ITAC of BS/EAI blackspotted/ rougheye rockfish was established as 112 mt, the 2020 ITAC of WAI/CAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish was established as 224 mt, the 2020 ITAC of BSAI skates was established as 13,866 mt, and the 2020 TAC of BSAI Alaska plaice was established as 17,450 mt by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish of the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020) and revised in the release of groundfish reserves (85 FR 49976, August 17, 2020). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(3) the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has reviewed the most current available data and finds that the ITACs of the BSAI arrowtooth flounder, BSAI ‘‘other flatfish,’’ BS/EAI blackspotted/ rougheye rockfish, WAI/CAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, BSAI skates; and the TAC of BSAI Alaska plaice need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve to promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources in the BSAI and allow fishing operations to continue. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:45 Nov 24, 2020 Jkt 253001 Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions from the non-specified reserve of groundfish to ITACs in the BSAI management area as follows: 430 mt to BSAI arrowtooth flounder, 521 mt to BSAI ‘‘other flatfish,’’ 20 mt to BS/EAI blackspotted/ rougheye rockfish, 40 mt to WAI/CAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, 3,340 mt to BSAI skates, and 2,600 mt to BSAI Alaska plaice. These apportionments are consistent with § 679.20(b)(1)(i) and do not result in overfishing of any target species because the revised ITACs and TACs are equal to or less than the specifications of the acceptable biological catch in the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020). The harvest specification for the 2020 ITACs and TACs included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as follows: 8,930 mt for BSAI arrowtooth flounder, 4,121 mt for BSAI ‘‘other flatfish,’’ 20,050 mt for BSAI Alaska plaice, 17,206 mt for BSAI skates, 132 mt for BS/EAI blackspotted/ rougheye rockfish, and 264 mt for WAI/ CAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish. 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 apportionment of the non-specified reserves of groundfish to the BSAI arrowtooth flounder, BSAI ‘‘other flatfish,’’ BS/EAI blackspotted/ rougheye rockfish, WAI/CAI blackspotted/rougheye rockfish, BSAI skates, and to the BSAI Alaska plaice. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of November 17, 2020. Under § 679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until December 7, 2020. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 75239 Dated: November 20, 2020. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–26102 Filed 11–20–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 200227–0066] RTID 0648–XA669 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Arrowtooth Flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for arrowtooth flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2020 arrowtooth flounder initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 20, 2020, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI 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. 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 2020 arrowtooth flounder ITAC in the BSAI is 8,500 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2020 arrowtooth flounder ITAC in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 3,500 mt, and is SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25NOR1.SGM 25NOR1 75240 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 25, 2020 / Rules and Regulations jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES setting aside the remaining 5,000 mt as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for arrowtooth flounder in the BSAI. While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:45 Nov 24, 2020 Jkt 253001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 and would delay the closure of arrowtooth flounder 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 November 18, 2020. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 20, 2020. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–26105 Filed 11–20–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\25NOR1.SGM 25NOR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 25, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75239-75240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26105]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 200227-0066]
RTID 0648-XA669


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Arrowtooth 
Flounder 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 arrowtooth flounder 
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This 
action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2020 arrowtooth flounder 
initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 20, 
2020, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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. 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 2020 arrowtooth flounder ITAC in the BSAI is 8,500 metric tons 
(mt) as established by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications 
for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020). In accordance 
with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS 
(Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2020 arrowtooth 
flounder ITAC in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 3,500 mt, 
and is

[[Page 75240]]

setting aside the remaining 5,000 mt as incidental catch 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 arrowtooth flounder 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 arrowtooth 
flounder 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 November 18, 2020.

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

    Dated: November 20, 2020.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-26105 Filed 11-20-20; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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