Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 54913-54914 [2022-19450]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 173 / Thursday, September 8, 2022 / Rules and Regulations
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
such as quota and retention limit
adjustment, as well as closures, and may
result in enforcement actions.
Additionally, and separate from the
dealer reporting requirement, Harpoon
category vessel owners are required to
report the catch of all BFT retained or
discarded dead within 24 hours of the
landing(s) or end of each trip, by
accessing www.hmspermits.noaa.gov,
using the HMS Catch Reporting app, or
calling 888–872–8862 (Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.).
Depending on the level of fishing
effort and catch rates of BFT, NMFS
may determine that additional
adjustments are necessary to ensure
available subquotas are not exceeded or
to enhance scientific data collection
from, and fishing opportunities in, all
geographic areas. If needed, subsequent
adjustments will be published in the
Federal Register. In addition, fishermen
may call the Atlantic Tunas Information
Line at (978) 281–9260, or access
www.hmspermits.noaa.gov, for updates
on quota monitoring and inseason
adjustments.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act. This action is required by 50 CFR
part 635, which was issued pursuant to
section 304(c), and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS finds that pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive
prior notice of, and an opportunity for
public comment on, for the following
reasons:
The regulations implementing the
2006 Consolidated HMS FMP and
amendments provide for inseason
retention limit adjustments and fishery
closures to respond to the unpredictable
nature of BFT availability on the fishing
grounds, the migratory nature of this
species, and the regional variations in
the BFT fishery. Providing for prior
notice and an opportunity to comment
is impracticable and contrary to the
public interest. This fishery is currently
underway and delaying this action
could result in BFT landings exceeding
the Harpoon category quota. For all of
the above reasons, there is good cause
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30day delay in effectiveness.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and
1801 et seq.
Dated: September 1, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–19325 Filed 9–2–22; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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16:04 Sep 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220223–0054: RTID 0648–XC350
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod in 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; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS is opening directed
fishing for Pacific cod by American
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI). This action is
necessary to fully use the 2022 total
allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated
to American Fisheries Act trawl catcher/
processors in the BSAI.
DATES:
Effective date: Effective 1200 hours,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 6,
2022, through 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
November 1, 2022.
Comments due date: Comments must
be received at the following address no
later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September
23, 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
Josh Keaton, Acting 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
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00053
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54913
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:
Krista Milani, 907–581–2062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR parts 600
and 679.
NMFS closed directed fishing for
Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act
trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI
under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 20,
2022 (87 FR 3048, January 20, 2022).
NMFS has determined that as of
September 2, 2022, approximately 900
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the
2022 Pacific cod total allowable catch
(TAC) allocated to the American
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors
in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2022
TAC of Pacific cod in the BSAI, NMFS
is terminating the previous closure and
is opening directed fishing for Pacific
cod by American Fisheries Act trawl
catcher/processors in the BSAI. The
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS,
considered the following factors in
reaching this decision: (1) the current
catch of Pacific cod by American
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors
in the BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity
and stated intent on future harvesting
patterns of vessels in 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
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 Pacific cod by American
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54914
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 173 / Thursday, September 8, 2022 / Rules and Regulations
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors
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 September 6, 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:04 Sep 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based
upon the reasons provided above for
waiver of prior notice.
Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the fishery for
Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act
trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI to
be harvested in an expedient manner
and in accordance with the regulatory
schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2),
PO 00000
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interested persons are invited to submit
written comments on this action to the
above address until September 23, 2022.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 2, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022–19450 Filed 9–6–22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54913-54914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19450]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 220223-0054: RTID 0648-XC350
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod
in 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; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by American
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use
the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to American
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.
DATES:
Effective date: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.),
September 6, 2022, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, 2022.
Comments due date: Comments must be received at the following
address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 23, 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 Josh Keaton, Acting 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: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR parts
600 and 679.
NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries
Act trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)
on January 20, 2022 (87 FR 3048, January 20, 2022).
NMFS has determined that as of September 2, 2022, approximately 900
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2022 Pacific cod total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the American Fisheries Act trawl
catcher/processors in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the
2022 TAC of Pacific cod in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous
closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by American
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI. The Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS, considered the following factors in reaching this
decision: (1) the current catch of Pacific cod by American Fisheries
Act trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI and, (2) the harvest capacity
and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in
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 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 Pacific cod by American
[[Page 54914]]
Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors 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 September 6, 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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act trawl catcher/processors in
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 September 23, 2022.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 2, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19450 Filed 9-6-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
