Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 71585-71586 [2021-27372]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 240 / Friday, December 17, 2021 / Rules and Regulations Columbia: Open for net fishing from 5 a.m., Wednesday, September 8, 2021, through 9 a.m., Friday, September 10, 2021. Sockeye non-retention, all efforts must be made to release sockeye alive. Fraser River Panel Order Number 2021– 07: Issued 2 p.m., September 10, 2021 Treaty Indian Fisheries Areas 4B, 5, and 6C: Open for drift gillnet fishing from 12 p.m. (noon), Saturday, September 11, 2021, through 12 p.m. (noon), Monday, September 13, 2021. Sockeye non-retention, all efforts must be made to release sockeye alive. Areas 6, 7, and 7A in the area southerly and easterly of a straight line drawn from the Iwersen Dock on Point Roberts in the State of Washington to the Georgina Point Light at the entrance to Active Pass in the Province of British Columbia: Open for net fishing from 5 a.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021, through 9 a.m., Monday, September 13, 2021. Sockeye non-retention, all efforts must be made to release sockeye alive. All Citizen Fishery Area 7: Open to reef net fishing, with non-retention of sockeye, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, September 11, 2021 and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, September 12, 2021. Fraser River Panel Order Number 2021– 08: Issued 4:45 p.m., September 13, 2021 All Citizen Fishery Area 7: Open to reef net fishing, with non-retention of sockeye, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, September 16, 2021, and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, September 17, 2021. Fraser River Panel Order Number 2021– 09: Issued 12 p.m., September 17, 2021 Treaty Indian and All Citizen Fisheries Areas 6, 6A, and 7: Relinquish regulatory control effective 11:59 p.m., Saturday, September 18, 2021. jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES1 Classification The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries NOAA (AA), finds that good cause exists for the inseason orders to be issued without affording the public prior notice and opportunity for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Dec 16, 2021 Jkt 256001 comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such prior notice and opportunity for comments is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment is impracticable because NMFS has insufficient time to allow for prior notice and opportunity for public comment between the time the stock abundance information is available to determine how much fishing can be allowed and the time the fishery must open and close in order to harvest the appropriate amount of fish while they are available. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date, required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), of the inseason orders. A delay in the effective date of the inseason orders would not allow fishers appropriately controlled access to the available fish at that time they are available. This action is authorized by 50 CFR 300.97, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3636(b). Dated: December 14, 2021. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–27392 Filed 12–16–21; 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– XB563] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of 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 Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 71585 and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Pacific ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 14, 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 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 Pacific ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI is 10,782 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI and groundfish reserve release (86 FR 11449, February 25, 2021, and 86 FR 64827, November 19, 2021). The Regional Administrator has determined that the 2021 TAC for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 10,712 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 70 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Consequently, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. While this closure remains in effect 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. E:\FR\FM\17DER1.SGM 17DER1 71586 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 240 / Friday, December 17, 2021 / Rules and Regulations jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with RULES1 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 Pacific ocean perch Bering Sea subarea in the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Dec 16, 2021 Jkt 256001 BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 13, 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 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 14, 2021. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–27372 Filed 12–14–21; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\17DER1.SGM 17DER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 240 (Friday, December 17, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71585-71586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27372]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 210217-0022; RTID 0648-XB563]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of 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 Pacific ocean perch 
in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the 2021 Pacific ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering 
Sea subarea of the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 14, 
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 
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 Pacific ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the 
BSAI is 10,782 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2021 and 
2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI and groundfish 
reserve release (86 FR 11449, February 25, 2021, and 86 FR 64827, 
November 19, 2021).
    The Regional Administrator has determined that the 2021 TAC for 
Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 10,712 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 70 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish 
fisheries. Consequently, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), 
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the 
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. While this closure remains in effect 
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.

[[Page 71586]]

    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 Pacific ocean 
perch Bering Sea subarea 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 December 13, 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: December 14, 2021.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27372 Filed 12-14-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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