Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Inseason Action for the 2023 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery, 48388-48389 [2023-15915]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
August 3, 2023 at 6 p.m. and
implements a fishing period catch limit
of 1,000 pounds (lb) (0.45 mt) dressed
weight for all vessel size classes. This
action is intended to conserve Pacific
halibut and provide commercial fishing
opportunity where available.
DATES: Effective date: July 24, 2023,
through December 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melissa Mandrup, 562–980–3231,
Melissa.Mandrup@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June
26, 2023, NMFS published a final rule
implementing harvest specifications,
§ 180.383 Sodium salt of acifluorfen;
fishing periods, and fishing period
tolerances for residues.
limits by vessel size class for the Area
(a) * * *
2A non-tribal directed commercial
Pacific halibut fishery (88 FR 41334), as
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (a)
authorized by the Northern Pacific
Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773–
Parts
per
Commodity
773(k)). The Pacific Fishery
million
Management Council 2023 Catch
Berry, low growing, subgroup
Sharing Plan provides a recommended
13–07G ...................................
0.1 framework for NMFS’ management
considerations and allocations based on
*
*
*
*
*
the 2023 Area 2A Pacific halibut catch
Soybean, vegetable, edible podded ..........................................
0.09 limit of 1,520,000 pounds (lb) (689
metric tons (mt)) set by the International
Soybean, vegetable, succulent
shelled .....................................
0.09 Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). The
Area 2A catch limit and commercial
fishery allocations were adopted by the
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2023–15900 Filed 7–26–23; 8:45 am]
IPHC and were published in the Federal
Register on March 7, 2023 (88 FR
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
14066) after acceptance by the Secretary
of State, with concurrence from the
Secretary of Commerce, in accordance
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
with 50 CFR 300.62.
Per a final rule published on June 26,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
2023 (88 FR 41334), two fishing periods
Administration
were set for the 2023 directed
commercial Pacific halibut fishery; the
50 CFR Part 300
first fishing period began on June 27,
[Docket No. 230615–0151; RTID 0648–
2023 at 8 a.m. and closed on June 29 at
XD142]
6 p.m. and the second fishing period
opened on July 11, 2023 at 8 a.m. and
Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West
closed on July 13 at 6 p.m. Fishing
Coast; Inseason Action for the 2023
period limits for the fishing periods
Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed
announced in the final rule varied by
Commercial Fishery
vessel size class, ranging from 2,716 lb
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
(1.23 mt) to 6,136 lb (2.78 mt). Federal
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(e)(1)(iii),
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
‘‘Inseason action to add fishing periods
Commerce.
and associated fishing period limits,’’
allow the NMFS Regional Administrator
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
to add fishing periods as needed to
adjustment.
attain the directed commercial fishery
SUMMARY: NMFS announces an inseason allocation. Fishing period limits, for
action for the 2023 non-tribal directed
those fishing periods added inseason,
commercial Pacific halibut fishery that
are equal across all vessel size classes.
operates south of Point Chehalis,
Landings information at the
Washington (lat. 46°53.30′ N) in the
conclusion of the second fishing period
International Pacific Halibut
indicate that sufficient allocation
Commission’s regulatory Area 2A off
remains to warrant an additional fishing
Washington, Oregon, and California.
period without exceeding the allocation
Specifically, this action adds an
for the Area 2A directed commercial
additional fishing period beginning on
fishery. As stated above, inseason
August 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closing on
addition of fishing periods with fishing
2. In § 180.383, amend paragraph (a)
by:
■ a. Designating the table to paragraph
(a); and
■ b. In newly designated table 1 to
paragraph (a):
■ i. Adding in alphabetical order the
entries ‘‘Berry, low growing, subgroup
13–07G’’; ‘‘Soybean, vegetable, edible
podded’’; and ‘‘Soybean, vegetable,
succulent shelled’’; and
■ ii. Removing the entry for
‘‘Strawberry’’.
The additions read as follows:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
■
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16:11 Jul 26, 2023
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PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
period limits equal across all vessel size
classes is authorized by Federal
regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(e)(1)(iii)
and was announced in the final rule (88
FR 41334, June 26, 2023). NMFS
determined the following inseason
action is necessary to meet the
management objective of attaining the
directed commercial fishery allocation,
will not result in exceeding the
allocation, and is consistent with the
inseason management provisions
allowing for additional fishing periods.
Notice of this additional fishing period
and fishing period limits will also be
announced on the NMFS hotline at 206–
526–6667 or 800–662–9825.
Inseason Action
Description of the action: This
inseason action implements an
additional fishing period, beginning
August 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. and ending on
August 3, 2023 at 6 p.m. This inseason
action also implements a fishing period
catch limit of 1,000 lb (0.45 mt) dressed
weight (880 lb (0.40 mt) net weight) for
all vessel size classes.
Reason for the action: The purpose of
this inseason action is to provide
additional opportunity for commercial
halibut fishery participants in Area 2A.
The first fishing period opened on June
27, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closed on June
29, 2023 at 6 p.m. The second fishing
period opened on July 11, 2023 at 8 a.m.
and closed on July 13, 2023 at 6 p.m.
NMFS has determined that an
additional fishing period is warranted
because sufficient allocation remains
and that a substantial amount of the
allocation will go unharvested without
an additional fishing period.
As of July 19, approximately 223,261
lb (101.27 mt), net weight, have been
harvested of the 257,819 lb (116.95 mt)
allocation (87 percent), leaving 34,558
lb (15.68 mt) remaining (13 percent).
With little risk of the directed
commercial fishery allocation being
exceeded, an additional fishing period
is warranted for participants in the
directed commercial fishery. Therefore,
through this action, NMFS is adding one
fishing period not previously
implemented in the final rule on June
26, 2023 (88 FR 41334). Specifically, an
additional fishing period is announced
for August 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. until August
3, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Fishing period limits for the two
fishing periods, implemented in the
final rule (88 FR 41334, June 26, 2023),
varied across vessel size classes, ranging
from 2,715 lbs. (1.23 mt) to 6,135 lbs.
(2.78 mt), and were based on the
number of permits issued and the
allocation. Fishing period limits
implemented through inseason action
E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM
27JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 143 / Thursday, July 27, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
are equal across vessel size classes, as
described in the final rule. Based on the
allocation estimated to be remaining
and the projected participation in this
additional fishing period, the fishing
period limit for all vessel size classes is
1,000 lb, (0.45 mt) dressed weight.
Notice of this additional fishing
period and fishing period limit will also
be announced on the NMFS hotline at
206–526–6667 or 800–662–9825.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of
1982. This action is taken under the
regulatory authority at 50 CFR
300.63(e)(1)(iii), and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(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. The California,
Oregon, and Washington Departments of
Fish and Wildlife provided estimated
harvest data to NMFS, showing that the
fishery participants in the directed
commercial fishery had caught only an
estimated 87 percent of the directed
commercial fishery allocation. NMFS
uses current fishery harvest and
participation estimates, and fishing
period catches from prior years to
determine if additional fishing periods
are necessary and to set fishing period
limits. Given that harvest in the first two
fishing periods is below the allocation,
a third fishing period is considered
necessary to increase commercial
fishing opportunity to attain the
directed commercial fishery allocation.
This action should be implemented as
soon as possible for fishery participants
to plan for the additional fishing. This
fishery has historically had 2 weeks
between fishing periods, or as close to
2 weeks between them as is practicable,
and closes no later than December 7,
2023 (88 FR 14066, March 3, 2023). As
such, implementing this action through
proposed and final rulemaking would
limit the benefit this action would
provide to fishery participants. Without
implementation of an additional fishing
period, the directed commercial fishery
allocation is unlikely to be reached,
limiting economic benefits to the
participants and not meeting the goals
of the Catch Sharing Plan. It is necessary
that this rulemaking be implemented in
a timely manner so that planning for
additional fishing periods can take
place, and for business decision making
by the regulated public impacted by this
action, which includes commercial
fishing operations and associated port
businesses, among others. To ensure the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:11 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 259001
regulated public is fully aware of this
action, notice of this regulatory action
will also be provided to fishery
participants through a telephone
hotline, and news release. No aspect of
this action is controversial, and changes
of this nature were anticipated in the
process described in regulations at 50
CFR 300.63(e)(1)(iii) and in the final
rule (88 FR 41334, June 26, 2023).
For the reasons discussed above, there
is also good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in
effective date and make this action
effective immediately upon filing for
public inspection, as a delay in
effectiveness of this action would
constrain fishing opportunity and be
inconsistent with the goals of the Catch
Sharing Plan, as well as potentially limit
the economic opportunity intended by
this rule to the associated fishing
communities. This inseason action is
not expected to result in exceeding the
allocation for the directed commercial
fishery. NMFS regulations allow the
Regional Administrator to add fishing
periods and set fishing period limits
inseason, provided that the action
allows allocation objectives to be met
and will not result in exceeding the
catch limit for the fishery. NMFS
recently received information on the
progress of landings in the directed
commercial fishery, indicating an
additional fishing period with fishing
period limits should be implemented in
the fishery to ensure optimal and
sustainable harvest of the allocation. As
stated above, it is in the public interest
that this action is not delayed, because
a delay in the effectiveness of this
additional fishing period would not
allow the allocation objectives of the
directed commercial Pacific halibut
fishery to be met.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773–773k.
Dated: July 24, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–15915 Filed 7–24–23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
PO 00000
48389
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No.: 230724–0172]
RIN 0648–BL91
Fisheries of the Northeastern United
States; the 2023–2025 Specifications
for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and
Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS approves and
implements the 2023–2025
specifications for the Mackerel, Squid,
and Butterfish Fishery Management
Plan as recommended by the MidAtlantic Fishery Management Council.
This action sets the 2023–2025 chub
mackerel specifications, the 2023–2024
butterfish specifications, and the 2023
Illex squid specifications. This action
also reaffirms the 2023 longfin squid
specifications.
SUMMARY:
Effective July 27, 2023.
Copies of supporting
documents used by the Mid-Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, including
the Environmental Assessment (EA), the
Supplemental Information Report (SIR),
the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), and
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
analysis are available from: Dr.
Christopher M. Moore, Executive
Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery
Management Council, 800 North State
Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901,
telephone (302) 674–2331. These
documents are also accessible via the
internet at https://www.mafmc.org.
Copies of the small entity compliance
guide are available from Michael
Pentony, Regional Administrator,
NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional
Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic
Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930–2298, or
available on the internet at: https://
www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov.
DATES:
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shannah Jaburek, Fishery Policy
Analyst, 978–282–8456.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
This rule implements specifications,
which are the combined suite of
commercial and recreational catch
levels established for one or more
fishing years, for chub mackerel, Illex
Frm 00039
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 143 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48388-48389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15915]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[Docket No. 230615-0151; RTID 0648-XD142]
Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Inseason Action for
the 2023 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces an inseason action for the 2023 non-tribal
directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery that operates south of
Point Chehalis, Washington (lat. 46[deg]53.30' N) in the International
Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon,
and California. Specifically, this action adds an additional fishing
period beginning on August 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closing on August 3,
2023 at 6 p.m. and implements a fishing period catch limit of 1,000
pounds (lb) (0.45 mt) dressed weight for all vessel size classes. This
action is intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide commercial
fishing opportunity where available.
DATES: Effective date: July 24, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Mandrup, 562-980-3231,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 26, 2023, NMFS published a final
rule implementing harvest specifications, fishing periods, and fishing
period limits by vessel size class for the Area 2A non-tribal directed
commercial Pacific halibut fishery (88 FR 41334), as authorized by the
Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773-773(k)). The
Pacific Fishery Management Council 2023 Catch Sharing Plan provides a
recommended framework for NMFS' management considerations and
allocations based on the 2023 Area 2A Pacific halibut catch limit of
1,520,000 pounds (lb) (689 metric tons (mt)) set by the International
Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). The Area 2A catch limit and
commercial fishery allocations were adopted by the IPHC and were
published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2023 (88 FR 14066) after
acceptance by the Secretary of State, with concurrence from the
Secretary of Commerce, in accordance with 50 CFR 300.62.
Per a final rule published on June 26, 2023 (88 FR 41334), two
fishing periods were set for the 2023 directed commercial Pacific
halibut fishery; the first fishing period began on June 27, 2023 at 8
a.m. and closed on June 29 at 6 p.m. and the second fishing period
opened on July 11, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closed on July 13 at 6 p.m.
Fishing period limits for the fishing periods announced in the final
rule varied by vessel size class, ranging from 2,716 lb (1.23 mt) to
6,136 lb (2.78 mt). Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(e)(1)(iii),
``Inseason action to add fishing periods and associated fishing period
limits,'' allow the NMFS Regional Administrator to add fishing periods
as needed to attain the directed commercial fishery allocation. Fishing
period limits, for those fishing periods added inseason, are equal
across all vessel size classes.
Landings information at the conclusion of the second fishing period
indicate that sufficient allocation remains to warrant an additional
fishing period without exceeding the allocation for the Area 2A
directed commercial fishery. As stated above, inseason addition of
fishing periods with fishing period limits equal across all vessel size
classes is authorized by Federal regulations at 50 CFR
300.63(e)(1)(iii) and was announced in the final rule (88 FR 41334,
June 26, 2023). NMFS determined the following inseason action is
necessary to meet the management objective of attaining the directed
commercial fishery allocation, will not result in exceeding the
allocation, and is consistent with the inseason management provisions
allowing for additional fishing periods. Notice of this additional
fishing period and fishing period limits will also be announced on the
NMFS hotline at 206-526-6667 or 800-662-9825.
Inseason Action
Description of the action: This inseason action implements an
additional fishing period, beginning August 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. and
ending on August 3, 2023 at 6 p.m. This inseason action also implements
a fishing period catch limit of 1,000 lb (0.45 mt) dressed weight (880
lb (0.40 mt) net weight) for all vessel size classes.
Reason for the action: The purpose of this inseason action is to
provide additional opportunity for commercial halibut fishery
participants in Area 2A. The first fishing period opened on June 27,
2023 at 8 a.m. and closed on June 29, 2023 at 6 p.m. The second fishing
period opened on July 11, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closed on July 13, 2023 at
6 p.m. NMFS has determined that an additional fishing period is
warranted because sufficient allocation remains and that a substantial
amount of the allocation will go unharvested without an additional
fishing period.
As of July 19, approximately 223,261 lb (101.27 mt), net weight,
have been harvested of the 257,819 lb (116.95 mt) allocation (87
percent), leaving 34,558 lb (15.68 mt) remaining (13 percent). With
little risk of the directed commercial fishery allocation being
exceeded, an additional fishing period is warranted for participants in
the directed commercial fishery. Therefore, through this action, NMFS
is adding one fishing period not previously implemented in the final
rule on June 26, 2023 (88 FR 41334). Specifically, an additional
fishing period is announced for August 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. until August
3, 2023 at 6 p.m.
Fishing period limits for the two fishing periods, implemented in
the final rule (88 FR 41334, June 26, 2023), varied across vessel size
classes, ranging from 2,715 lbs. (1.23 mt) to 6,135 lbs. (2.78 mt), and
were based on the number of permits issued and the allocation. Fishing
period limits implemented through inseason action
[[Page 48389]]
are equal across vessel size classes, as described in the final rule.
Based on the allocation estimated to be remaining and the projected
participation in this additional fishing period, the fishing period
limit for all vessel size classes is 1,000 lb, (0.45 mt) dressed
weight.
Notice of this additional fishing period and fishing period limit
will also be announced on the NMFS hotline at 206-526-6667 or 800-662-
9825.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to the Northern Pacific Halibut
Act of 1982. This action is taken under the regulatory authority at 50
CFR 300.63(e)(1)(iii), and is exempt from review under Executive Order
12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(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. The California, Oregon, and Washington Departments of Fish
and Wildlife provided estimated harvest data to NMFS, showing that the
fishery participants in the directed commercial fishery had caught only
an estimated 87 percent of the directed commercial fishery allocation.
NMFS uses current fishery harvest and participation estimates, and
fishing period catches from prior years to determine if additional
fishing periods are necessary and to set fishing period limits. Given
that harvest in the first two fishing periods is below the allocation,
a third fishing period is considered necessary to increase commercial
fishing opportunity to attain the directed commercial fishery
allocation. This action should be implemented as soon as possible for
fishery participants to plan for the additional fishing. This fishery
has historically had 2 weeks between fishing periods, or as close to 2
weeks between them as is practicable, and closes no later than December
7, 2023 (88 FR 14066, March 3, 2023). As such, implementing this action
through proposed and final rulemaking would limit the benefit this
action would provide to fishery participants. Without implementation of
an additional fishing period, the directed commercial fishery
allocation is unlikely to be reached, limiting economic benefits to the
participants and not meeting the goals of the Catch Sharing Plan. It is
necessary that this rulemaking be implemented in a timely manner so
that planning for additional fishing periods can take place, and for
business decision making by the regulated public impacted by this
action, which includes commercial fishing operations and associated
port businesses, among others. To ensure the regulated public is fully
aware of this action, notice of this regulatory action will also be
provided to fishery participants through a telephone hotline, and news
release. No aspect of this action is controversial, and changes of this
nature were anticipated in the process described in regulations at 50
CFR 300.63(e)(1)(iii) and in the final rule (88 FR 41334, June 26,
2023).
For the reasons discussed above, there is also good cause under 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in effective date and make
this action effective immediately upon filing for public inspection, as
a delay in effectiveness of this action would constrain fishing
opportunity and be inconsistent with the goals of the Catch Sharing
Plan, as well as potentially limit the economic opportunity intended by
this rule to the associated fishing communities. This inseason action
is not expected to result in exceeding the allocation for the directed
commercial fishery. NMFS regulations allow the Regional Administrator
to add fishing periods and set fishing period limits inseason, provided
that the action allows allocation objectives to be met and will not
result in exceeding the catch limit for the fishery. NMFS recently
received information on the progress of landings in the directed
commercial fishery, indicating an additional fishing period with
fishing period limits should be implemented in the fishery to ensure
optimal and sustainable harvest of the allocation. As stated above, it
is in the public interest that this action is not delayed, because a
delay in the effectiveness of this additional fishing period would not
allow the allocation objectives of the directed commercial Pacific
halibut fishery to be met.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k.
Dated: July 24, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15915 Filed 7-24-23; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
