Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska, 72535 [2021-27649]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 22, 2021 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES The 2021 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 3,826 mt, as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021). The 2021 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 426 mt as established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear will not be able to use 426 mt of the 2020 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)(4). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator has also determined that catcher/processors using trawl gear currently have the capacity to harvest this excess allocation. Therefore, NMFS apportions 435 mt of Pacific cod from the catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA included in the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) are revised as follows: 3,391 to catcher vessels using trawl gear and 861 mt to catcher/ processors using trawl gear. 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 Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a document providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 9, 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Dec 21, 2021 Jkt 256001 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 16, 2021. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–27648 Filed 12–21–21; 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– XB658] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chinook Salmon Prohibited Species Catch Limits in the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment. AGENCY: NMFS is reapportioning the projected unused amount, 200 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 Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA. DATES: Effective December 21, 2021, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (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 Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 1,200 Chinook salmon (§ 679.21(h)(4)(i)(B)). The 2021 Chinook salmon PSC limit for vessels directed fishing for pollock using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 16,966 Chinook salmon (§ 679.21(h)(2)(ii) and reallocation (86 FR 46792, August 20, 2021). SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 72535 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 200 Chinook salmon of the Chinook salmon PSC limit allocated to those vessels under § 679.21(h)(2)(ii). Therefore, in accordance with § 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 § 679.21(h)(5)(iv)(C), NMFS reapportions 200 Chinook salmon PSC limit to the Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. The 2021 Chinook salmon PSC limits are revised as follows: 16,766 Chinook salmon for vessels participating in directed fishing for pollock in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA (19,966 minus 200 Chinook salmon) and 1,400 Chinook salmon to the Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA (1,200 plus 200 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 Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a document providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 9, 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 16, 2021. Ngagne Jafnar Gueye, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2021–27649 Filed 12–21–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\22DER1.SGM 22DER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 22, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 72535]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27649]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 210210-0018; RTID 0648-XB658]


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, 200 
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 Rockfish Program catcher vessel 
sector in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. This action is 
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the GOA.

DATES: Effective December 21, 2021, through 2400 hours, Alaska local 
time (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 Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory 
Areas of the GOA is 1,200 Chinook salmon (Sec.  679.21(h)(4)(i)(B)).
    The 2021 Chinook salmon PSC limit for vessels directed fishing for 
pollock using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 
16,966 Chinook salmon (Sec.  679.21(h)(2)(ii) and reallocation (86 FR 
46792, August 20, 2021).
    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 200 
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)(C), NMFS reapportions 200 Chinook salmon PSC limit to 
the Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA.
    The 2021 Chinook salmon PSC limits are revised as follows: 16,766 
Chinook salmon for vessels participating in directed fishing for 
pollock in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA (19,966 minus 200 
Chinook salmon) and 1,400 Chinook salmon to the Rockfish Program 
catcher vessel sector in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA (1,200 
plus 200 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 Rockfish Program catcher vessel sector in the Central 
Regulatory Areas of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a document 
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant 
data only became available as of December 9, 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 16, 2021.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27649 Filed 12-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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