Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Kamchatka Flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 38588-38589 [2021-15602]

Download as PDF 38588 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 138 / Thursday, July 22, 2021 / Rules and Regulations management at its meeting in August 2021, following the updated management track assessment and the July SSC meeting. recommendations for 2022 if new information is available. TABLE 6—ILLEX SQUID FINAL 2021 AND PROJECTED 2022 SPECIFICA- Classification TIONS IN METRIC TON OFL ....................................... ABC ...................................... IOY ........................................ DAH/DAP .............................. Unknown 33,000 31,478 31,478 Illex Squid In-Season Management Measures This action modifies the current weekly reporting for commercial dealers after July 15 to a 48-hour reporting requirement for accurate landings monitoring during the fishing season. This action also modifies the closure threshold from 95 percent to 94 percent. Both measures are designed to help avoid quota overages, which occurred in 2018 and 2019. Reaffirmation of 2021–2022 Atlantic Chub Mackerel Specifications Amendment 21 to the FMP previously implemented chub mackerel specifications for the 2020–2022 fishing years. The Council reevaluated these specifications at its October 2020 meeting and decided to make no adjustments for the 2021–2022 fishing years. This action reaffirms the previously implemented specifications. TABLE 7—REAFFIRMED ATLANTIC CHUB MACKEREL FINAL 2021 AND PROJECTED 2022 SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS IN METRIC TONS Specification 2021–2022 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 ABC ...................................... Annual Catch Limit (ACL) ..... Annual Catch Target ............ Total Allowable Landings ..... 2,300 2,262 2,171 2,041 Comments We received four comments on the proposed rule; one comment from the MAFMC, one from a commercial fishing industry member, and two from environmental organizations. The MAFMC and commercial fishing industry member recommended we increase the Illex squid ABC. We are increasing the Illex squid ABC from 30,000 mt to 33,000 mt in this action based on updated information considered by the Council. The two environmental organizations mentioned the poor stock status of Atlantic mackerel in Canada and the actions Fisheries and Oceans Canada has taken to manage mackerel. The Council will be addressing Atlantic mackerel VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:56 Jul 21, 2021 Jkt 253001 Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is consistent with the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP, other provisions of the MagnusonStevens Act, and other applicable law. There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effective date. The start of the fishing year began on January 1, 2021. This rule increases the Illex squid ABC and adjusts the reporting requirements and in-season closure trigger to avoid another overage. A delay in implementing final measures would prevent the economic benefits from this rule from being realized and prevent achieving optimal yield in the summer fishing season. In addition, this rule reduces the butterfish ABC below the current specifications based on a recent butterfish stock assessment. Past performance suggests that this will not limit the fishery as recent landings have been lower than the reduced ABC, but there remains a risk of overages with the fishery operating under the current higher specifications. Therefore, it is in the public interest to implement this final action as soon as possible. This final rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for the certification was published in the proposed rule and is not repeated here. No comments were received regarding this certification and no other information has been obtained that suggests any other conclusion. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none was prepared. This final rule does not contain a change to a collection of information requirement for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The existing collection of information requirements would continue to apply under the following OMB Control Number: 0648–0229. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648 Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Dated: July 16, 2021. Carrie Robinson, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is amended as follows: PART 648—FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES 1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 2. In § 648.7, add paragraph (f)(1)(ii) to read as follows: ■ § 648.7 Recordkeeping and reporting requirements. * * * * * (f) * * * (1) * * * (ii) From July 15 through December 31, dealer or processor reports documenting Illex squid landings greater than 10,000 pounds (4.5 mt) must be received with 48 hours of landing. * * * * * ■ 3. In § 648.24, revise paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows: § 648.24 Fishery closures and accountability measures. (a) * * * (2) Illex. NMFS shall close the directed Illex fishery in the EEZ when the Regional Administrator projects that 94 percent of the Illex DAH is harvested. The closure of the directed fishery shall be in effect for the remainder of that fishing period, with incidental catches allowed as specified at § 648.26. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2021–15538 Filed 7–21–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 210217–0022] RTID 0648–XB064 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Kamchatka 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: E:\FR\FM\22JYR1.SGM 22JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 138 / Thursday, July 22, 2021 / Rules and Regulations NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Kamchatka flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Kamchatka flounder initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 2021, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021. 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 2021 Kamchatka flounder ITAC in the BSAI is 7,635 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:56 Jul 21, 2021 Jkt 253001 the BSAI (86 FR 11449, February 25, 2021). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2021 Kamchatka flounder ITAC in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 3,635 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 4,000 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 Kamchatka 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. 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. PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 38589 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 Kamchatka 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 July 16, 2021. The AA 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: July 19, 2021. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–15602 Filed 7–19–21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\22JYR1.SGM 22JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 138 (Thursday, July 22, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38588-38589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15602]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 210217-0022]
RTID 0648-XB064


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Kamchatka 
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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[[Page 38589]]

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Kamchatka flounder in 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Kamchatka flounder initial 
total allowable catch (ITAC) in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 2021, 
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021.

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 2021 Kamchatka flounder ITAC in the BSAI is 7,635 metric tons 
(mt) as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications 
for groundfish in the BSAI (86 FR 11449, February 25, 2021). In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2021 
Kamchatka flounder ITAC in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, 
the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance 
of 3,635 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 4,000 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 Kamchatka 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 Kamchatka 
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 July 16, 2021.
    The AA 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: July 19, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15602 Filed 7-19-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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