Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 49260 [2021-18986]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 168 / Thursday, September 2, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the 2021 Pacific cod
TAC apportioned to catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA
using hook-and-line gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon
be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 580 mt and is
setting aside the remaining 100 mt as
bycatch 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 Pacific cod by
catcher vessels greater than or equal to
50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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.
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 directed fishing
closure of Pacific cod by catcher vessels
greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA
using hook-and-line gear in the Central
Regulatory Area 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 27, 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.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 30, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–18987 Filed 8–31–21; 8:45 am]
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15:55 Sep 01, 2021
Jkt 253001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210–0018; RTID 0648–
XB233]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Trawl
Catcher Vessels in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the 2021 Pacific cod
total allowable catch apportioned to
trawl catcher vessels in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2021,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Allyson Olds, 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.
Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish
fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The 2021 Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) apportioned to trawl
catcher vessels in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,071
metric tons (mt), as established by the
final 2021 and 2022 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the 2021 Pacific cod
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
TAC apportioned to trawl catcher
vessels in the Western Regulatory Area
of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 1,871 mt and is setting
aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch
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 Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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.
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 directed fishing
closure of Pacific cod by catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Western
Regulatory Area 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 27, 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 30, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–18986 Filed 8–31–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\02SER1.SGM
02SER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 168 (Thursday, September 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-18986]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210-0018; RTID 0648-XB233]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Trawl Catcher Vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the
2021 Pacific cod total allowable catch apportioned to trawl catcher
vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2021, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allyson Olds, 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. Regulations governing sideboard
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR
part 680.
The 2021 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to
trawl catcher vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is
2,071 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2021 and 2022
harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (86 FR 10184, February
19, 2021).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2021
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to trawl catcher vessels in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
1,871 mt and is setting aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch 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 Pacific cod by catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. 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 directed fishing closure
of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western
Regulatory Area 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 27, 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 30, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-18986 Filed 8-31-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P