Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 12868-12869 [2023-04176]

Download as PDF 12868 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 40 / Wednesday, March 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 7. In § 660.140, revise paragraph (c)(3)(iv) to read as follows: ■ § 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program. * * * * * (c) * * * (3) * * * (iv) The remaining IFQ species (bocaccio, canary rockfish, cowcod, darkblotched rockfish, lingcod S of 40°10′ N lat., minor shelf rockfish N of 40°10′ N lat., minor shelf rockfish S of 40°10′ N lat., and minor slope rockfish S of 40°10′ N lat., POP, widow rockfish, and yelloweye rockfish) are allocated through the biennial specifications and management measures process minus any set-asides for the mothership and C/ P sectors for that species. * * * * * ■ 8. In § 660.330, revise paragraph (b)(3) introductory text to read as follows: § 660.330 Open access fishery— management measures. * * * * * (b) * * * (3) Non-trawl RCA gear. Inside the non-trawl RCA, only legal non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear configurations may be used for target fishing for groundfish by vessels that participate in the directed open access sector as defined at § 660.11. On a fishing trip where any fishing will occur inside the non-trawl RCA, only one type of legal non-bottom contact gear may be carried on board, and no other fishing gear of any type may be carried on board or stowed during that trip. The vessel may fish inside and outside the nontrawl RCA on the same fishing trip, provided a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d) has been filed with NMFS OLE. Legal non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear means stationary vertical jig gear not anchored to the bottom, and groundfish troll gear, subject to the specifications in paragraphs (b)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section. * * * * * ■ 9. In § 660.360, revise paragraph (c)(3)(ii) to read as follows: § 660.360 Recreational fishery— management measures. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES * * * * * (c) * * * (3) * * * (ii) RCG complex. The California rockfish, cabezon, greenling complex (RCG Complex) includes all rockfish, kelp greenling, rock greenling, and cabezon. This category does not include California scorpionfish, also known as ‘‘sculpin’’. (A) Seasons. When recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open, it VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Feb 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 is permitted only outside of the recreational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. (1) Between 42° N lat. (California/ Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat. (North Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open from May 15 through October 15 (i.e., recreational fishing for the RCG complex is closed from January 1 through May 14, and October 16 through December 31). (2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and 38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from May 15 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the RCG complex is closed from January 1 through May 14). (3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and 37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open from May 15 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the RCG complex is closed from January 1 through May 14). (4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′ N lat. (Central Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the RCG complex is closed from January 1 through April 30). (5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for the RCG complex is closed from January 1 through March 31). (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the recreational season for the RCG Complex is open, there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line when fishing for the RCG complex. The bag limit is 10 RCG Complex fish per day coastwide, with a sub-bag limit of 4 fish for vermilion rockfish, 1 fish for quillback rockfish, and 1 fish for copper rockfish. These sub-bag limits count towards the bag limit for the RCG Complex and are not in addition to that limit. Retention of yelloweye rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, and cowcod is prohibited. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the value of days in the fishing trip. (C) Size limits. The following size limits apply: cabezon may be no smaller than 15 in (38 cm) total length; and kelp and other greenling may be no smaller than 12 in (30 cm) total length. (D) Dressing/filleting. Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling taken in the recreational fishery may not be filleted at sea. Rockfish skin may not be removed when filleting or otherwise PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 dressing rockfish taken in the recreational fishery. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2023–03889 Filed 2–28–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 220216–0049; RTID 0648– XC693] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 26, 2023, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2023. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907–586–7228. NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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 A season allowance of the 2023 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,963 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (87 FR 11599, March 2, 2022) and inseason adjustment (87 FR 80088, December 29, 2022). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2023 Pacific cod TAC SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 40 / Wednesday, March 1, 2023 / Rules and Regulations ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,953 mt and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. 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 cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. While this closure is effective, the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:10 Feb 28, 2023 Jkt 259001 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 Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 12869 providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of February 23, 2023. 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: February 24, 2023. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–04176 Filed 2–24–23; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 1, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12868-12869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04176]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220216-0049; RTID 0648-XC693]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

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 cod by 
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A 
season allowance of the 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod 
by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 26, 
2023, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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 A season allowance of the 2023 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to 
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 
1,963 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2022 and 2023 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (87 FR 11599, March 2, 
2022) and inseason adjustment (87 FR 80088, December 29, 2022).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2023 
Pacific cod TAC

[[Page 12869]]

apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,953 mt and is setting 
aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries. 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 cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.
    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 Pacific cod by 
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS 
was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
February 23, 2023.
    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: February 24, 2023.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-04176 Filed 2-24-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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