Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch Western Aleutian District in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 66611-66612 [2022-24245]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 213 / Friday, November 4, 2022 / Rules and Regulations National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). 50 CFR Part 679 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [Docket No. 220223–0054; RTID 0648– XC510] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Several Groundfish Species in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; apportionment of reserves; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS apportions amounts of the non-specified reserve to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Bering Sea (BS) ‘‘other rockfish,’’ BS Pacific ocean perch, BS sablefish, and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) skates. This action is necessary to allow the fisheries to continue operating. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan for the BSAI management area. DATES: Effective November 2, 2022, through 12 a.m., Alaska local time, January 1, 2023. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, November 17, 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 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Nov 03, 2022 Jkt 259001 NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI 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 ITAC of BS ‘‘other rockfish’’ was established as 638 metric tons (mt), the 2022 ITAC of BS Pacific ocean perch was established as 8,799 mt, the 2022 ITAC of BS sablefish was established as 4,343 mt, and the 2022 ITAC of BSAI skates was established as 25,500 mt by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish of the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(3) the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has reviewed the most current available data and finds that the ITACs for BS ‘‘other rockfish,’’ BS Pacific ocean perch, BS sablefish, and BSAI skates need to be supplemented from the non-specified reserve to promote efficiency in the utilization of fishery resources in the BSAI and allow fishing operations to continue. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions from the non-specified reserve of groundfish to ITACs in the BSAI management area as follows: 281 mt to BS ‘‘other rockfish,’’ 1,553 mt to BS Pacific ocean perch, 197 mt to BS sablefish, and 5,600 mt to BSAI skates. These apportionments are consistent with § 679.20(b)(1)(i) and do not result in overfishing of any target species because the revised ITACs and total allowable catches (TACs) are equal to or less than the specifications of the acceptable biological catch in the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022). The harvest specification for the 2022 ITACs and TACs included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI are revised as follows: 919 mt for BS ‘‘other rockfish,’’ 10,352 mt for BS Pacific ocean perch, 4,540 mt for BS sablefish, and 31,100 mt to BSAI skates. PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 66611 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 apportionment of the non-specified reserves of groundfish to the BS ‘‘other rockfish,’’ BS Pacific ocean perch, BS sablefish, and BSAI skates. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of October 26, 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. Under § 679.20(b)(3)(iii), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until November 17, 2022. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 2, 2022. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–24247 Filed 11–2–22; 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– XC379] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch Western Aleutian District in 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 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\04NOR1.SGM 04NOR1 66612 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 213 / Friday, November 4, 2022 / Rules and Regulations khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES Western Aleutian district (WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the WAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 2, 2022, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2022. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228. 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). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Nov 03, 2022 Jkt 259001 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 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the WAI, allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery was established as a directed fishing allowance of 196 metric tons 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)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the WAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access section fishery. While this closure is effective, 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 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 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 closure of directed fishing of Pacific ocean perch in the WAI 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 November 2, 2022. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: November 2, 2022. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–24245 Filed 11–2–22; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\04NOR1.SGM 04NOR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66611-66612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-24245]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220223-0054; RTID 0648-XC379]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch Western Aleutian District 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; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch 
in the

[[Page 66612]]

Western Aleutian district (WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch 
in the WAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited 
access sector fishery.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 2, 
2022, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.

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 part 
600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2022 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the WAI, allocated to 
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery 
was established as a directed fishing allowance of 196 metric tons 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)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been 
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific 
ocean perch in the WAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited access section fishery. While this closure is effective, 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.
    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 directed 
fishing of Pacific ocean perch in the WAI 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 November 2, 2022.

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

    Dated: November 2, 2022.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-24245 Filed 11-2-22; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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