Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska, 46792 [2021-17867]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 159 (Friday, August 20, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-17867]



[[Page 46792]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 210210-0018; RTID 0648-XB312]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook 
Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amount, 1,350 
Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit, from the vessels 
participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel 
sector participating in directed fishing for groundfish, other than 
pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. This 
action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery 
Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 18, 
2021, until 2400 hours A.l.t., December 31, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing fishing by U.S. 
vessels in accordance with the fishery management plan appear at 
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2021 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for 
the non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector directed fishing for 
non-pollock groundfish using trawl gear in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 3,060 Chinook salmon (Sec.  
679.21(h)(4)(i)(C)).
    The 2021 Chinook salmon PSC limit for vessels directed fishing for 
pollock using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 
18,316 Chinook salmon (Sec.  679.21(h)(2)(ii)).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that the vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will not require 
1,350 Chinook salmon of the Chinook salmon PSC limit allocated to those 
vessels under Sec.  679.21(h)(2)(ii). Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec.  679.21(h)(5)(iii) and taking into account the need of the sectors 
for Chinook salmon PSC, and following the limits set forth in Sec.  
679.21(h)(5)(iv)(D), NMFS reapportions 1,350 Chinook salmon PSC limit 
to the non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector participating in the 
directed fishery for groundfish, other than pollock, in the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
    The 2021 Chinook salmon PSC limits are revised as follows: 16,966 
Chinook salmon for vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA (18,316 minus 1,350 
Chinook salmon) and 4,410 Chinook salmon to the non-Rockfish Program 
catcher vessel sector participating in directed fishing for groundfish, 
other than pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the 
GOA (3,060 plus 1,350 Chinook salmon).

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 reallocation of Chinook 
salmon to the non-Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Western 
and Central Regulatory Areas 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 August 16, 2021.
    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: August 17, 2021.
David R. Blankinship,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-17867 Filed 8-17-21; 4:15 pm]
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