Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Rockfish” in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 52356 [2022-18384]

Download as PDF 52356 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 164 / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Rules and Regulations Chinook and coho salmon abundance, catch, and effort information were developed and fisheries impacts were calculated, and the time the fishery modifications had to be implemented in order to ensure that fisheries are managed based on the best scientific information available and that fishery participants can take advantage of the additional fishing opportunity these changes provide. As previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory actions was provided to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (87 FR 29690; May 16, 2022), the Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and regulations implementing the FMP under 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411. There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effective date, as a delay in effectiveness of this action would restrict fishing at levels inconsistent with the goals of the FMP and the current management measures. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 22, 2022. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–18344 Filed 8–24–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 220223–0054; RTID 0648– XC285] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ‘‘Other Rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:00 Aug 24, 2022 Jkt 256001 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in § 679.20(j). NMFS is prohibiting retention of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2022 ‘‘other rockfish’’ total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached. 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 prohibiting retention of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands 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 22, 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. SUMMARY: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 23, 2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 2022 ‘‘other rockfish’’ TAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI is 394 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626; March 2, 2022). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2022 ‘‘other rockfish’’ TAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI be treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under § 679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except ‘‘other rockfish’’ species in the Aleutian Islands subarea caught by catcher vessels using DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 Classification Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 22, 2022. Jennifer M. Wallace, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–18384 Filed 8–23–22; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\25AUR1.SGM 25AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18384]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220223-0054; RTID 0648-XC285]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands 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 retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2022 
``other rockfish'' total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea of the BSAI has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 23, 
2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 2022 ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of 
the BSAI is 394 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2022 and 
2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626; 
March 2, 2022). In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has 
determined that the 2022 ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea of the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that 
``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI be 
treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under 
Sec.  679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except ``other 
rockfish'' species in the Aleutian Islands subarea caught by catcher 
vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in Sec.  
679.20(j).

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 prohibiting retention of 
``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands 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 22, 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.

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

    Dated: August 22, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18384 Filed 8-23-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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