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, 46110-46111 [2023-15289]

Download as PDF 46110 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Rules and Regulations References Cited A complete list of all references cited in this rule is available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R1–ES–2020–0060, or upon request from the State Supervisor, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Authors The primary authors of this final rule are the staff of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office in coordination with the Pacific Regional Office in Portland, Oregon. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Plants, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife. Regulation Promulgation Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below: PART 17—ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS 1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531– 1544; and 4201–4245, unless otherwise noted. § 17.12 [Amended] 2. In § 17.12, in paragraph (h), amend the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants by removing the entry for ‘‘Castilleja levisecta’’ under FLOWERING PLANTS. ■ Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2023–14971 Filed 7–18–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 [Docket No. 230306–0065; RTID 0648– XD162] 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. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:28 Jul 18, 2023 Temporary rule; modification of a closure. ACTION: Jkt 259001 NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch (POP) specified for the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 15, 2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., August 3, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by docket number NOAA–NMFS–2022–0094, 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–2022–0094 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 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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) (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023) and as corrected (88 FR 18258, March 28, 2023). NMFS has determined that approximately 4,500 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 2023 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., July 15, 2023, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2023. This will enhance the socioeconomic wellbeing 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 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 notification providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 10, 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. 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 E:\FR\FM\19JYR1.SGM 19JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 137 / Wednesday, July 19, 2023 / Rules and Regulations with the regulatory schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until [insert date 15 days after date of publication in the Federal Register]. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 46111 Dated: July 14, 2023. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–15289 Filed 7–14–23; 4:15 pm] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:28 Jul 18, 2023 Jkt 259001 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\19JYR1.SGM 19JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46110-46111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15289]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 230306-0065; RTID 0648-XD162]


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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in 
the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2023 
total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch (POP) specified for the 
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 15, 2023, 
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
August 3, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
docket number NOAA-NMFS-2022-0094, 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-2022-0094 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) (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023) 
and as corrected (88 FR 18258, March 28, 2023).
    NMFS has determined that approximately 4,500 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 2023 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., July 15, 2023, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 
2023. 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 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 notification providing time for public comment because the 
most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 10, 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.
    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

[[Page 46111]]

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 [insert date 15 days after date of publication in 
the Federal Register].

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

    Dated: July 14, 2023.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15289 Filed 7-14-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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