Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 47597-47598 [2021-18371]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
date for attributing 2021 bigeye tuna
catch to the CNMI is August 30, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The Fishery Ecosystem Plan
for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western
Pacific (FEP) describes specified fishing
agreements and is available from the
Western Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council), 1164 Bishop St.,
Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel.
808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, or
https://www.wpcouncil.org.
NMFS prepared environmental
analyses that describe the potential
impacts on the human environment that
would result from the action. The
analyses, identified by NOAA–NMFS–
2020–0010, are available from https://
www.regulations.gov/search/
docket?filter=NOAA-NMFS-2020-0010,
or from Michael D. Tosatto, Regional
Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands
Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg.
176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lynn Rassel, NMFS PIRO Sustainable
Fisheries, 808–725–5184.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final
rule published on January 12, 2021,
NMFS specified a 2021 limit of 2,000 t
of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each
of the U.S. Pacific Island territories of
American Samoa, Guam, and the CNMI
(86 FR 2297). NMFS allows each
territory to allocate up to 1,500 t of the
2,000 t limit to U.S. longline fishing
vessels identified in a valid specified
fishing agreement, but the total
allocation among all territories may not
exceed 3,000 t.
On June 25, 2021, NMFS received
from the Council a specified fishing
agreement between the CNMI and the
Hawaii Longline Association. The
Council’s Executive Director advised
that the agreement is consistent with the
FEP and its implementing regulations.
On July 15, 2021, NMFS reviewed the
agreement and determined that it is
consistent with the FEP, implementing
regulations, the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act, and other applicable laws.
In accordance with 50 CFR 300.224(d)
and 50 CFR 665.819(c)(9), vessels in the
agreement may retain and land bigeye
tuna in the western and central Pacific
Ocean under the CNMI attribution
specified in the fishing agreement. On
August 30, 2021, NMFS began
attributing bigeye tuna caught by vessels
in the agreement to the CNMI. If NMFS
determines that the fishery will reach
the 1,500 t allocation specified in the
CNMI agreement, we will restrict the
retention of bigeye tuna caught by
vessels in the agreement, unless the
vessels are included in a subsequent
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:08 Aug 25, 2021
Jkt 253001
specified fishing agreement with
another U.S. territory.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 20, 2021.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–18365 Filed 8–25–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210–0018; RTID 0648–
XB337]
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive
Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fishery
by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the
Western and Central Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of
closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is opening directed
fishing for groundfish, other than
pollock, by non-Rockfish Program
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to fully use the 2021
groundfish total allowable catch
available for non-Rockfish Program
catcher vessels directed fishing for
groundfish, other than pollock, using
trawl gear in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), August 24, 2021,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2021. Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., September 7, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2020–0140, by any of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov and enter
NOAA–NMFS–2020–0140 in the Search
box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Submit written comments to
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00057
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
47597
Division, Alaska Region NMFS, Attn:
Records Office. 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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 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 by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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.
NMFS prohibited directed fishing for
groundfish, other than pollock, by nonRockfish Program catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA, effective
1200 hours, A.l.t., March 26, 2021 (86
FR 16677, March 31, 2021) under
§ 679.21(i)(8)(ii).
On August 20, 2021, NMFS published
an inseason adjustment (86 FR 46792,
August 20, 2021) that reapportioned
1,350 Chinook salmon prohibited
species catch 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 that is available from August
18, 2021 until December 31, 2021
(§ 679.21(h)(5)(iii)). Therefore, in
accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i)),
(a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully
utilize the 2021 groundfish total
allowable catch available for nonRockfish Program catcher vessels
directed fishing for groundfish, other
than pollock, using trawl gear in the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of
the GOA, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is opening
directed fishing for non-Rockfish
Program catcher vessels directed fishing
for groundfish, other than pollock, using
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47598
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 163 / Thursday, August 26, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
trawl gear in the Western and Central
Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
Classification
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:08 Aug 25, 2021
Jkt 253001
the public interest, as it would prevent
NMFS from responding to the most
recent fisheries data in a timely fashion
and would delay opening directed
fishing for groundfish, other than
pollock, by non-Rockfish Program
catcher vessels using trawl gear 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 20, 2021.
The Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA also finds good cause
PO 00000
Frm 00058
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
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 23, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–18371 Filed 8–23–21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 163 (Thursday, August 26, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47597-47598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18371]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210-0018; RTID 0648-XB337]
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish
Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the
Western and Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for groundfish, other than
pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA).
This action is necessary to fully use the 2021 groundfish total
allowable catch available for non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels
directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, using trawl gear
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 24,
2021, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021. Comments must be
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t.,
September 7, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2020-0140, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-2020-0140 in the Search box.
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Records Office. 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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 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.
NMFS prohibited directed fishing for groundfish, other than
pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, effective 1200
hours, A.l.t., March 26, 2021 (86 FR 16677, March 31, 2021) under Sec.
679.21(i)(8)(ii).
On August 20, 2021, NMFS published an inseason adjustment (86 FR
46792, August 20, 2021) that reapportioned 1,350 Chinook salmon
prohibited species catch 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 that is available from August 18, 2021 until December 31, 2021
(Sec. 679.21(h)(5)(iii)). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(i)), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully
utilize the 2021 groundfish total allowable catch available for non-
Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, other
than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is
opening directed fishing for non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels
directed fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, using
[[Page 47598]]
trawl gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
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 opening directed fishing for
groundfish, other than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels
using trawl gear 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 20, 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 23, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18371 Filed 8-23-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
