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, 50274-50275 [2022-17697]

Download as PDF 50274 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 157 / Tuesday, August 16, 2022 / Rules and Regulations SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the summer flounder fishery are found in 50 CFR 648.100 through 648.110. These regulations require annual specification of a commercial quota that is apportioned among the coastal states from Maine through North Carolina. The process to set the annual commercial quota and the percent allocated to each state is described in § 648.102 and final 2022 allocations were published on December 23, 2021 (86 FR 72859). The final rule implementing Amendment 5 to the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as published in the Federal Register on December 17, 1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a mechanism for transferring summer flounder commercial quota from one state to another. Two or more states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator, can transfer or combine summer flounder commercial quota under § 648.102(c)(2). The Regional Administrator is required to consider three criteria in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations: The transfer or combinations would not preclude the overall annual quota from being fully harvested; the transfer addresses an unforeseen variation or contingency in the fishery; and the transfer is consistent with the objectives of the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Regional Administrator has determined these three criteria have been met for the transfer approved in this notification. North Carolina is transferring 7,775 lb (3,527 kg) to Virginia through mutual agreement of the states. This transfer was requested to repay landings made by an out-of-state permitted vessel under a safe harbor agreement. The revised summer flounder quotas for 2022 are: North Carolina, 3,334,339 lb (1,512,431 kg) and Virginia, 2,796,591 lb (1,268,512 kg). lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 648.162(e)(1)(i) through (iii), which was issued pursuant to section 304(b), and is exempted from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:02 Aug 15, 2022 Jkt 256001 Dated: August 11, 2022. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–17619 Filed 8–11–22; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 220223–0054; RTID 0648– XC272] 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; modification of a closure. AGENCY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch (POP) specified for the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 13, 2022, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2022. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., August 31, 2022. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by docket number NOAA–NMFS–2022–0076, 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–2022–0076 in the Search box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: Submit written comments to Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS. 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 will generally be posted for public SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) exclusive economic zone 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. NMFS closed directed fishing for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022). NMFS has determined that approximately 7,300 metric tons of POP remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the 2022 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 13, 2022, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2022. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters dependent on POP in this area. The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) the current catch of POP in the BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels participating in this fishery. 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 E:\FR\FM\16AUR1.SGM 16AUR1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 157 / Tuesday, August 16, 2022 / Rules and Regulations lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1 the public interest, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the opening of directed fishing for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 August 9, 2022. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA also finds good cause VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:02 Aug 15, 2022 Jkt 256001 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. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 50275 § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until August 31, 2022. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 12, 2022. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–17697 Filed 8–12–22; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\16AUR1.SGM 16AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50274-50275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17697]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220223-0054; RTID 0648-XC272]


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; modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in 
the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area. This action is necessary to fully use the 2022 total 
allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch (POP) specified for the Bering 
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 13, 2022, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2022. Comments must be received 
at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., August 31, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
docket number NOAA-NMFS-2022-0076, 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-2022-0076 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Mail: Submit written comments to Assistant Regional Administrator, 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS. 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 will generally be posted 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: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) exclusive 
economic zone 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.
    NMFS closed directed fishing for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of 
the BSAI under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022).
    NMFS has determined that approximately 7,300 metric tons of POP 
remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully 
utilize the 2022 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering Sea subarea 
of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening 
directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective 
1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 13, 2022, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 
31, 2022. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters 
dependent on POP in this area.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors 
in reaching this decision: (1) the current catch of POP in the BSAI 
and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting 
patterns of vessels participating in this fishery.

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

[[Page 50275]]

the public interest, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the 
most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the 
opening of directed fishing for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 August 9, 2022.
    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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to be 
harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory 
schedule. Under Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to 
submit written comments on this action to the above address until 
August 31, 2022.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 12, 2022.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-17697 Filed 8-12-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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