Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2024 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 88836-88839 [2023-28323]
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88836
■
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
2. Revise § 665.169 to read as follows:
§ 665.169
Gold coral harvest moratorium.
Fishing for, taking, or retaining any
gold coral in any precious coral permit
area is prohibited through June 30,
2028.
■ 3. Amend § 665.269 by revising Note
2 to § 665.269 to read as follows:
§ 665.269
*
*
Annual Catch Limits (ACL).
*
*
*
Note 2 to § 665.269: A moratorium on gold
coral harvesting is in effect through June 30,
2028.
■
4. Revise § 665.270 to read as follows:
§ 665.270
Gold coral harvest moratorium.
Fishing for, taking, or retaining any
gold coral in any precious coral permit
area is prohibited through June 30,
2028.
■ 5. Revise § 665.469 to read as follows:
§ 665.469
Gold coral harvest moratorium.
Fishing for, taking, or retaining any
gold coral in any precious coral permit
area is prohibited through June 30,
2028.
■ 6. Revise § 665.669 to read as follows:
§ 665.669
Gold coral harvest moratorium.
Fishing for, taking, or retaining any
gold coral in any precious coral permit
area is prohibited through June 30,
2028.
[FR Doc. 2023–28221 Filed 12–22–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230306–0065]
RTID 0648–XD597
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2024 Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Pollock, Atka Mackerel, and
Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch
Amounts
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason
adjustment; request for comments.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2024
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
(BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel, and
Pacific cod fisheries. This action is
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Dec 22, 2023
Jkt 262001
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the BSAI
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amounts based
on the best scientific information
available. This action is consistent with
the goals and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2024, until
the effective date of the final 2024 and
2025 harvest specifications for BSAI
groundfish, unless otherwise modified
or superseded through publication of a
notification in the Federal Register.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., January 10, 2024.
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
Gretchen Harrington, 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 https://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:
Adam Zaleski, 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 (Council)
under authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Management Act. Regulations governing
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
CFR parts 600 and 679.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023) set
the 2024 Aleutian Islands (AI) pollock
TAC at 19,000 metric tons (mt), the 2024
Bering Sea (BS) pollock TAC at
1,302,000 mt, the 2024 BSAI Atka
mackerel TAC at 66,855 mt, the 2024 BS
Pacific cod TAC at 123,295 mt, and the
2024 AI Pacific cod TAC at 8,425 mt. In
December 2023, the Council
recommended a 2024 BS pollock TAC of
1,300,000 mt, which is less than the
1,302,000 mt TAC established by the
final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI. The Council also recommended a
2024 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC of 72,987
mt, which is more than the 66,855 mt
TAC established by the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore,
the Council recommended a 2024 BS
Pacific cod TAC of 147,753 mt, and an
AI Pacific cod TAC of 8,080 mt, which
is more than the BS Pacific cod TAC of
123,295 mt, and less than the AI Pacific
cod TAC of 8,425 mt established by the
final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI. The Council’s recommended 2024
TACs, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, are based on the Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2023,
which NMFS has determined is the best
scientific information available for these
fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock, Atka mackerel,
and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed
as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod are a
principal prey species for Steller sea
lions in the BSAI. The seasonal
apportionment of pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod harvest is
necessary to ensure the groundfish
fisheries are not likely to cause jeopardy
of extinction or adverse modification of
critical habitat for Steller sea lions.
NMFS published regulations and the
revised harvest limit amounts for
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
fisheries to implement Steller sea lion
protection measures to insure that
groundfish fisheries of the BSAI are not
likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of the western distinct
population segment of Steller sea lions
or destroy or adversely modify their
designated critical habitat (79 FR 70286,
November 25, 2014).
E:\FR\FM\26DER1.SGM
26DER1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
In accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
(a)(2)(i)(B), and (a)(2)(iv), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that, based on the November
2023 SAFE report for this fishery, the
current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel,
and Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly
specified. Pursuant to § 679.25(a)(1)(iii),
the Regional Administrator is adjusting
the 2024 BS pollock TAC to 1,300,000
mt, the 2024 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC
to 72,987 mt, the 2024 BS Pacific cod
TAC to 147,753 mt, and the 2024 AI
Pacific cod TAC to 8,080 mt. Therefore,
table 2 of the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023)
is revised consistent with this
adjustment.
88837
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i) and (iii),
table 5 of the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023)
is revised for the 2024 BS and AI
allocations of pollock TAC to the
directed pollock fisheries and to the
Community Development Quota (CDQ)
directed fishing allowances consistent
with this adjustment.
TABLE 5—FINAL 2024 ALLOCATIONS OF POLLOCK TACS TO THE DIRECTED POLLOCK FISHERIES AND TO THE CDQ
DIRECTED FISHING ALLOWANCES (DFA) 1
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2024 A season 1
2024
Allocations
Area and sector
Bering Sea subarea TAC 1 ..............................................................................
CDQ DFA .........................................................................................................
ICA 1 .................................................................................................................
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA .....................................................................
AFA Inshore .....................................................................................................
AFA Catcher/Processors 3 ...............................................................................
Catch by CPs ...........................................................................................
Catch by CVs 3 .........................................................................................
Unlisted CP Limit 4 ....................................................................................
AFA Motherships .............................................................................................
Excessive Harvesting Limit 5 ............................................................................
Excessive Processing Limit 6 ...........................................................................
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC .........................................................................
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC 1 .......................................................................
CDQ DFA .........................................................................................................
ICA ...................................................................................................................
Aleut Corporation .............................................................................................
Area harvest limit 7 ...........................................................................................
541 ............................................................................................................
542 ............................................................................................................
543 ............................................................................................................
Bogoslof District ICA 8 ......................................................................................
1,300,000
130,000
50,000
1,120,000
560,000
448,000
409,920
38,080
2,240
112,000
196,000
336,000
43,092
19,000
1,900
2,500
14,600
n/a
12,928
6,464
2,155
300
A season
DFA
n/a
58,500
n/a
504,000
252,000
201,600
184,464
17,136
1,008
50,400
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1,841
1,250
14,146
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
SCA harvest
limit 2
n/a
36,400
n/a
313,600
156,800
125,440
n/a
n/a
n/a
31,360
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
B season
DFA
n/a
71,500
n/a
616,000
308,000
246,400
225,456
20,944
1,232
61,600
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
59
1,250
454
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
1 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and the Initial Catch Allowance (ICA) (50,000 mt, 4.27 percent), is allocated as a DFA as follows: inshore sector—50 percent, catcher/processor sector (CP)—40 percent, and mothership sector—10 percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent of the DFAs are allocated to the A season (January 20–June
10) and 55 percent of the DFAs are allocated to the B season (June 10–November 1). When the AI Pollock Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC)
equals or exceeds 19,000 mt, the annual TAC is equal to 19,000 mt (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1)). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the Aleutian
Islands subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (2,500 mt), is allocated to the Aleut
Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is allocated no more than 40 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
2 In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector’s annual DFA may be taken from the
Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA) before noon, April 1.
3 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the allocation to listed CPs shall be available for harvest only by eligible catcher vessels
with a CP endorsement delivering to listed CPs, unless there is a CP sector cooperative for the year.
4 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the American Fisheries Act (AFA) unlisted catcher/processors are limited to harvesting not more than
0.5 percent of the catcher/processor sector’s allocation of pollock.
5 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
6 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0 percent of the sum of the non-CDQ
pollock DFAs.
7 Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in
Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
8 Pursuant to § 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The amounts specified are for incidental catch
only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(8), table 7 of
the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023) is
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Dec 22, 2023
Jkt 262001
revised for the 2024 seasonal and spatial
allowances, gear shares, CDQ reserve,
incidental catch allowance, jig, BSAI
trawl limited access, and Amendment
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
80 allocations of the BSAI Atka
mackerel TAC consistent with this
adjustment.
E:\FR\FM\26DER1.SGM
26DER1
88838
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 7—FINAL 2024 SEASONAL AND SPATIAL ALLOWANCES, GEAR SHARES, CDQ RESERVE, INCIDENTAL CATCH
ALLOWANCE, AND AMENDMENT 80 ALLOCATIONS OF THE BSAI ATKA MACKEREL TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2024 allocation by area
Eastern
Aleutian
District/
Bering Sea
Sector 1
Season 2 3 4
TAC ...........................................................................
CDQ reserve .............................................................
n/a ......................
Total ...................
A .........................
Critical Habitat ....
B .........................
Critical Habitat ....
n/a ......................
Total ...................
Total ...................
Total ...................
A .........................
Critical Habitat ....
B .........................
Critical Habitat ....
Total ...................
A .........................
Critical Habitat ....
B .........................
Critical Habitat ....
Non-CDQ TAC ..........................................................
ICA ............................................................................
Jig 6 ............................................................................
BSAI trawl limited access .........................................
Amendment 80 sector ...............................................
Western
Aleutian District
Central
Aleutian District 5
32,260
3,452
1,726
n/a
1,726
n/a
28,808
800
140
2,787
1,393
n/a
1,393
n/a
25,081
12,541
n/a
12,541
n/a
16,754
1,793
896
538
896
538
14,961
75
23,973
2,565
1,283
770
1,283
770
21,408
20
1,489
744
447
744
447
13,398
6,699
4,019
6,699
4,019
21,388
10,694
6,416
10,694
6,416
1 Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, ICAs, and jig gear allocation, to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the Initial Total Allowable Catch (ITAC) for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80
and BSAI trawl limited access sectors is established in table 33 to 50 CFR part 679 and § 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC
for use by CDQ participants (see § 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)).
2 Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel fishery.
3 The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
4 Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from January 20 to June 10 and the B
season from June 10 to December 31.
5 Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to be caught inside of Steller sea
lion protection areas; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the annual TACs between the A and B seasons as defined at
§ 679.23(e)(3); and section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires that the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.
6 Sections 679.2 and 679.20(a)(8)(i) requires that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian Islands District and the Bering Sea subarea TAC be
allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets the amount of this allocation for 2024 at 0.5 percent. The jig
gear allocation is not apportioned by season.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(7), table 9 of
the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (87 FR 76435, March 10, 2023) is
revised for the 2024 gear shares and
seasonal allowances of the BSAI Pacific
cod TAC consistent with this
adjustment.
TABLE 9—FINAL 2024 SECTOR ALLOCATIONS AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF THE BSAI PACIFIC COD TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2024
Sector
Percent
2024
2024
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Season
Total Bering Sea TAC .........................................................................
Bering Sea CDQ .................................................................................
Bering Sea non-CDQ TAC ..................................................................
Total Aleutian Islands TAC .................................................................
Aleutian Islands CDQ ..........................................................................
Aleutian Islands non-CDQ TAC ..........................................................
Western Aleutians Islands Limit ..........................................................
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC1 .................................................................
Total hook-and-line/pot gear ...............................................................
Hook-and-line/pot ICA2 .......................................................................
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total .................................................................
Hook-and-line catcher/processors .......................................................
A-season .............................................................................................
B-season .............................................................................................
Hook-and-line catcher vessels ≥ 60 ft Length Overall (LOA) .............
A-season .............................................................................................
B-season .............................................................................................
Pot catcher/processors ........................................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Dec 22, 2023
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PO 00000
Frm 00024
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
100.0
60.8
n/a
n/a
48.7
..............
..............
0.2
..............
..............
1.5
Fmt 4700
147,753
15,810
131,943
8,080
865
7,215
2,233
139,159
84,609
n/a
84,109
n/a
..............
..............
n/a
..............
..............
n/a
Sfmt 4700
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
500
n/a
67,370
..............
..............
277
..............
..............
2,075
n/a ..........................................
See § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) .........
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
See § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B) .........
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
Jan 1–Jun 10 .........................
Jun 10–Dec 31 ......................
n/a ..........................................
Jan 1–Jun 10 .........................
Jun 10–Dec 31 ......................
n/a ..........................................
E:\FR\FM\26DER1.SGM
26DER1
Amount
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
34,359
33,011
n/a
141
136
n/a
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
88839
TABLE 9—FINAL 2024 SECTOR ALLOCATIONS AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF THE BSAI PACIFIC COD TAC—Continued
[Amounts are in metric tons]
2024
Sector
Percent
A-season .............................................................................................
B-season .............................................................................................
Pot catcher vessels ≥ 60 ft LOA .........................................................
A-season .............................................................................................
B-season .............................................................................................
Catcher vessels < 60 ft LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear ...........
Trawl catcher vessels 3 .......................................................................
A-Season ICA ......................................................................................
A-season PCTC ..................................................................................
B-season ICA ......................................................................................
B-season PCTC ..................................................................................
C-season trawl catcher vessels ..........................................................
AFA trawl catcher/processors .............................................................
A-season .............................................................................................
B-season .............................................................................................
C-season .............................................................................................
Amendment 80 ....................................................................................
A-season .............................................................................................
B-season .............................................................................................
C-season .............................................................................................
Jig ........................................................................................................
A-season .............................................................................................
B-season .............................................................................................
C-season .............................................................................................
..............
..............
8.4
..............
..............
2.0
22.1
..............
..............
..............
..............
..............
2.3
..............
..............
..............
13.4
..............
..............
..............
1.4
..............
..............
..............
2024
..............
..............
n/a
..............
..............
n/a
30,754
..............
..............
..............
..............
..............
3,201
..............
..............
..............
18,647
..............
..............
..............
1,948
..............
..............
..............
2024
..............
..............
11,620
..............
..............
2,767
n/a
..............
..............
..............
..............
..............
n/a
..............
..............
..............
n/a
..............
..............
..............
n/a
..............
..............
..............
Season
Amount
Jan 1–Jun 10 .........................
Sept 1–Dec 31 .......................
n/a ..........................................
Jan 1–Jun 10 .........................
Sept–1–Dec 31 ......................
n/a ..........................................
n/a ..........................................
Jan 20–Apr 1 .........................
Jan 20-Apr 1 ..........................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .........................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .........................
Jun 10–Nov 1 ........................
n/a ..........................................
Jan 20–Apr 1 .........................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .........................
Jun 10–Nov 1 ........................
n/a ..........................................
Jan 20–Apr 1 .........................
Apr 1–Jun 10 .........................
Jun 10–Dec 31 ......................
n/a ..........................................
Jan 1–Apr 30 .........................
Apr 30–Aug 31 .......................
Aug 31–Dec 31 ......................
1,058
1,017
n/a
5,926
5,694
n/a
n/a
1,500
21,258
700
2,683
4,613
n/a
2,400
800
..............
n/a
13,985
4,662
..............
n/a
1,169
390
390
1 The sector allocations and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and AI Pacific cod TACs, after
subtraction of the reserves for the CDQ Program. If the TAC for Pacific cod in either the BS or AI is or will be reached, then directed fishing will
be prohibited for non-CDQ Pacific cod in that subarea, even if a BSAI allowance remains (§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
2 The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC allocated to the hook-and-line
and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt based on anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries.
3 The A and B season trawl CV Pacific cod allocation will be allocated to the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program after subtraction of the A
and B season ICAs (§ 679.131(b)(1)). The Regional Administrator approves the A and B seasons ICAs of 1,500 mt and 700 mt, respectively, to
account for projected incidental catch of Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than Pacific Cod
Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program Pacific cod.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
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 allow for harvests that
exceed the appropriate allocations for
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
in the BSAI based on the best scientific
information available. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the
most recent, relevant data only became
available as of December 14, 2023.
Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the fishery for
pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
in the BSAI to be harvested in an
expedient manner and in accordance
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Dec 22, 2023
Jkt 262001
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
January 10, 2024.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 19, 2023.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–28323 Filed 12–22–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
PO 00000
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224–0053; RTID 0648–
XD295]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher/Processors Using Hook-andLine Gear in the Western 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 catcher/
processors using hook-and-line (HAL)
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC)
apportioned to catcher/processors using
SUMMARY:
Frm 00025
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\26DER1.SGM
26DER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 88836-88839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28323]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230306-0065]
RTID 0648-XD597
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2024 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka
Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts
for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) pollock, Atka mackerel,
and Pacific cod fisheries. This action is necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly specified, and will ensure the
BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod TACs are the appropriate
amounts based on the best scientific information available. This action
is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management
Area.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1,
2024, until the effective date of the final 2024 and 2025 harvest
specifications for BSAI groundfish, unless otherwise modified or
superseded through publication of a notification in the Federal
Register.
Comments must be received at the following address no later than
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., January 10, 2024.
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 Gretchen Harrington, 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
https://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: Adam Zaleski, 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
(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 parts 600 and
679.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023) set the 2024 Aleutian Islands
(AI) pollock TAC at 19,000 metric tons (mt), the 2024 Bering Sea (BS)
pollock TAC at 1,302,000 mt, the 2024 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC at 66,855
mt, the 2024 BS Pacific cod TAC at 123,295 mt, and the 2024 AI Pacific
cod TAC at 8,425 mt. In December 2023, the Council recommended a 2024
BS pollock TAC of 1,300,000 mt, which is less than the 1,302,000 mt TAC
established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI. The Council also recommended a 2024 BSAI Atka
mackerel TAC of 72,987 mt, which is more than the 66,855 mt TAC
established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI. Furthermore, the Council recommended a 2024 BS
Pacific cod TAC of 147,753 mt, and an AI Pacific cod TAC of 8,080 mt,
which is more than the BS Pacific cod TAC of 123,295 mt, and less than
the AI Pacific cod TAC of 8,425 mt established by the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. The Council's
recommended 2024 TACs, and the area and seasonal apportionments, are
based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report (SAFE),
dated November 2023, which NMFS has determined is the best scientific
information available for these fisheries.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock, Atka
mackerel, and Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under
the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific
cod are a principal prey species for Steller sea lions in the BSAI. The
seasonal apportionment of pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod
harvest is necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries are not likely
to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of critical
habitat for Steller sea lions. NMFS published regulations and the
revised harvest limit amounts for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific
cod fisheries to implement Steller sea lion protection measures to
insure that groundfish fisheries of the BSAI are not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of the western distinct population
segment of Steller sea lions or destroy or adversely modify their
designated critical habitat (79 FR 70286, November 25, 2014).
[[Page 88837]]
In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), (a)(2)(i)(B), and
(a)(2)(iv), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that, based on the November 2023 SAFE
report for this fishery, the current BSAI pollock, Atka mackerel, and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Pursuant to Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the 2024 BS
pollock TAC to 1,300,000 mt, the 2024 BSAI Atka mackerel TAC to 72,987
mt, the 2024 BS Pacific cod TAC to 147,753 mt, and the 2024 AI Pacific
cod TAC to 8,080 mt. Therefore, table 2 of the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March
10, 2023) is revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i) and (iii), table 5 of the final
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR
14926, March 10, 2023) is revised for the 2024 BS and AI allocations of
pollock TAC to the directed pollock fisheries and to the Community
Development Quota (CDQ) directed fishing allowances consistent with
this adjustment.
Table 5--Final 2024 Allocations of Pollock TACs to the Directed Pollock Fisheries and to the CDQ Directed
Fishing Allowances (DFA) \1\
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 A season \1\
2024 -----------------------------------------------
Area and sector Allocations SCA harvest
A season DFA limit \2\ B season DFA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bering Sea subarea TAC \1\...................... 1,300,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 130,000 58,500 36,400 71,500
ICA \1\......................................... 50,000 n/a n/a n/a
Total Bering Sea non-CDQ DFA.................... 1,120,000 504,000 313,600 616,000
AFA Inshore..................................... 560,000 252,000 156,800 308,000
AFA Catcher/Processors \3\...................... 448,000 201,600 125,440 246,400
Catch by CPs................................ 409,920 184,464 n/a 225,456
Catch by CVs \3\............................ 38,080 17,136 n/a 20,944
Unlisted CP Limit \4\....................... 2,240 1,008 n/a 1,232
AFA Motherships................................. 112,000 50,400 31,360 61,600
Excessive Harvesting Limit \5\.................. 196,000 n/a n/a n/a
Excessive Processing Limit \6\.................. 336,000 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea ABC.................... 43,092 n/a n/a n/a
Aleutian Islands subarea TAC \1\................ 19,000 n/a n/a n/a
CDQ DFA......................................... 1,900 1,841 n/a 59
ICA............................................. 2,500 1,250 n/a 1,250
Aleut Corporation............................... 14,600 14,146 n/a 454
Area harvest limit \7\.......................... n/a n/a n/a n/a
541......................................... 12,928 n/a n/a n/a
542......................................... 6,464 n/a n/a n/a
543......................................... 2,155 n/a n/a n/a
Bogoslof District ICA \8\....................... 300 n/a n/a n/a
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A), the Bering Sea subarea pollock TAC, after subtracting the CDQ DFA
(10 percent) and the Initial Catch Allowance (ICA) (50,000 mt, 4.27 percent), is allocated as a DFA as
follows: inshore sector--50 percent, catcher/processor sector (CP)--40 percent, and mothership sector--10
percent. In the Bering Sea subarea, 45 percent of the DFAs are allocated to the A season (January 20-June 10)
and 55 percent of the DFAs are allocated to the B season (June 10-November 1). When the AI Pollock Acceptable
Biological Catch (ABC) equals or exceeds 19,000 mt, the annual TAC is equal to 19,000 mt (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(1)). Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2), the Aleutian Islands subarea pollock
TAC, after subtracting first for the CDQ DFA (10 percent) and second for the ICA (2,500 mt), is allocated to
the Aleut Corporation for a pollock directed fishery. In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the A season is
allocated no more than 40 percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\2\ In the Bering Sea subarea, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C), no more than 28 percent of each sector's
annual DFA may be taken from the Steller Sea Lion Conservation Area (SCA) before noon, April 1.
\3\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4), 8.5 percent of the allocation to listed CPs shall be available for
harvest only by eligible catcher vessels with a CP endorsement delivering to listed CPs, unless there is a CP
sector cooperative for the year.
\4\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(4)(iii), the American Fisheries Act (AFA) unlisted catcher/processors
are limited to harvesting not more than 0.5 percent of the catcher/processor sector's allocation of pollock.
\5\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(6), NMFS establishes an excessive harvesting share limit equal to 17.5
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\6\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(7), NMFS establishes an excessive processing share limit equal to 30.0
percent of the sum of the non-CDQ pollock DFAs.
\7\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(6), NMFS establishes harvest limits for pollock in the A season in
Area 541 of no more than 30 percent, in Area 542 of no more than 15 percent, and in Area 543 of no more than 5
percent of the Aleutian Islands pollock ABC.
\8\ Pursuant to Sec. 679.22(a)(7)(B), the Bogoslof District is closed to directed fishing for pollock. The
amounts specified are for incidental catch only and are not apportioned by season or sector.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(8), table 7 of the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March
10, 2023) is revised for the 2024 seasonal and spatial allowances, gear
shares, CDQ reserve, incidental catch allowance, jig, BSAI trawl
limited access, and Amendment 80 allocations of the BSAI Atka mackerel
TAC consistent with this adjustment.
[[Page 88838]]
Table 7--Final 2024 Seasonal and Spatial Allowances, Gear Shares, CDQ Reserve, Incidental Catch Allowance, and Amendment 80 Allocations of the BSAI Atka
Mackerel TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024 allocation by area
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sector \1\ Season \2\ \3\ \4\ Eastern Aleutian
District/ Bering Central Aleutian Western Aleutian
Sea District \5\ District
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAC........................................... n/a.................................... 32,260 16,754 23,973
CDQ reserve................................... Total.................................. 3,452 1,793 2,565
A...................................... 1,726 896 1,283
Critical Habitat....................... n/a 538 770
B...................................... 1,726 896 1,283
Critical Habitat....................... n/a 538 770
Non-CDQ TAC................................... n/a.................................... 28,808 14,961 21,408
ICA........................................... Total.................................. 800 75 20
Jig \6\....................................... Total.................................. 140
BSAI trawl limited access..................... Total.................................. 2,787 1,489
A...................................... 1,393 744
Critical Habitat....................... n/a 447
B...................................... 1,393 744
Critical Habitat....................... n/a 447
Amendment 80 sector........................... Total.................................. 25,081 13,398 21,388
A...................................... 12,541 6,699 10,694
Critical Habitat....................... n/a 4,019 6,416
B...................................... 12,541 6,699 10,694
Critical Habitat....................... n/a 4,019 6,416
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii) allocates the Atka mackerel TACs, after subtracting the CDQ reserves, ICAs, and jig gear allocation, to the Amendment 80
and BSAI trawl limited access sectors. The allocation of the Initial Total Allowable Catch (ITAC) for Atka mackerel to the Amendment 80 and BSAI trawl
limited access sectors is established in table 33 to 50 CFR part 679 and Sec. 679.91. The CDQ reserve is 10.7 percent of the TAC for use by CDQ
participants (see Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii)(C)).
\2\ Sections 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a) establish temporal and spatial limitations for the Atka mackerel fishery.
\3\ The seasonal allowances of Atka mackerel are 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season.
\4\ Section 679.23(e)(3) authorizes directed fishing for Atka mackerel with trawl gear during the A season from January 20 to June 10 and the B season
from June 10 to December 31.
\5\ Section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(i) limits no more than 60 percent of the annual TACs in Areas 542 and 543 to be caught inside of Steller sea lion
protection areas; section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1)(ii) equally divides the annual TACs between the A and B seasons as defined at Sec. 679.23(e)(3);
and section 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(2) requires that the TAC in Area 543 shall be no more than 65 percent of ABC in Area 543.
\6\ Sections 679.2 and 679.20(a)(8)(i) requires that up to 2 percent of the Eastern Aleutian Islands District and the Bering Sea subarea TAC be
allocated to jig gear after subtracting the CDQ reserve and the ICA. NMFS sets the amount of this allocation for 2024 at 0.5 percent. The jig gear
allocation is not apportioned by season.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(7), table 9 of the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 76435, March
10, 2023) is revised for the 2024 gear shares and seasonal allowances
of the BSAI Pacific cod TAC consistent with this adjustment.
Table 9--Final 2024 Sector Allocations and Seasonal Allowances of the BSAI Pacific Cod TAC
[Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2024
Sector Percent 2024 2024 --------------------------------------------------
Season Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Bering Sea TAC........... n/a 147,753 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Bering Sea CDQ................. n/a 15,810 n/a See Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).......... n/a
Bering Sea non-CDQ TAC......... n/a 131,943 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Total Aleutian Islands TAC..... n/a 8,080 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Aleutian Islands CDQ........... n/a 865 n/a See Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).......... n/a
Aleutian Islands non-CDQ TAC... n/a 7,215 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Western Aleutians Islands Limit n/a 2,233 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Total BSAI non-CDQ TAC\1\...... 100.0 139,159 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Total hook-and-line/pot gear... 60.8 84,609 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Hook-and-line/pot ICA\2\....... n/a n/a 500 n/a.................................... n/a
Hook-and-line/pot sub-total.... n/a 84,109 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
Hook-and-line catcher/ 48.7 n/a 67,370 n/a.................................... n/a
processors.
A-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 1-Jun 10........................... 34,359
B-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jun 10-Dec 31.......................... 33,011
Hook-and-line catcher vessels 0.2 n/a 277 n/a.................................... n/a
>= 60 ft Length Overall (LOA).
A-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 1-Jun 10........................... 141
B-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jun 10-Dec 31.......................... 136
Pot catcher/processors......... 1.5 n/a 2,075 n/a.................................... n/a
[[Page 88839]]
A-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 1-Jun 10........................... 1,058
B-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Sept 1-Dec 31.......................... 1,017
Pot catcher vessels >= 60 ft 8.4 n/a 11,620 n/a.................................... n/a
LOA.
A-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 1-Jun 10........................... 5,926
B-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Sept-1-Dec 31.......................... 5,694
Catcher vessels < 60 ft LOA 2.0 n/a 2,767 n/a.................................... n/a
using hook-and-line or pot
gear.
Trawl catcher vessels \3\...... 22.1 30,754 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
A-Season ICA................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 20-Apr 1........................... 1,500
A-season PCTC.................. ........ ........ ........ Jan 20-Apr 1........................... 21,258
B-season ICA................... ........ ........ ........ Apr 1-Jun 10........................... 700
B-season PCTC.................. ........ ........ ........ Apr 1-Jun 10........................... 2,683
C-season trawl catcher vessels. ........ ........ ........ Jun 10-Nov 1........................... 4,613
AFA trawl catcher/processors... 2.3 3,201 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
A-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 20-Apr 1........................... 2,400
B-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Apr 1-Jun 10........................... 800
C-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jun 10-Nov 1........................... ........
Amendment 80................... 13.4 18,647 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
A-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 20-Apr 1........................... 13,985
B-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Apr 1-Jun 10........................... 4,662
C-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jun 10-Dec 31.......................... ........
Jig............................ 1.4 1,948 n/a n/a.................................... n/a
A-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Jan 1-Apr 30........................... 1,169
B-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Apr 30-Aug 31.......................... 390
C-season....................... ........ ........ ........ Aug 31-Dec 31.......................... 390
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The sector allocations and seasonal allowances for BSAI Pacific cod TAC are based on the sum of the BS and
AI Pacific cod TACs, after subtraction of the reserves for the CDQ Program. If the TAC for Pacific cod in
either the BS or AI is or will be reached, then directed fishing will be prohibited for non-CDQ Pacific cod in
that subarea, even if a BSAI allowance remains (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
\2\ The ICA for the hook-and-line and pot sectors will be deducted from the aggregate portion of Pacific cod TAC
allocated to the hook-and-line and pot sectors. The Regional Administrator approves an ICA of 500 mt based on
anticipated incidental catch by these sectors in other fisheries.
\3\ The A and B season trawl CV Pacific cod allocation will be allocated to the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative
Program after subtraction of the A and B season ICAs (Sec. 679.131(b)(1)). The Regional Administrator
approves the A and B seasons ICAs of 1,500 mt and 700 mt, respectively, to account for projected incidental
catch of Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than Pacific
Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program Pacific cod.
Note: Seasonal or sector apportionments may not total precisely due to rounding.
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 allow for harvests that exceed the
appropriate allocations for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod in
the BSAI based on the best scientific information available. NMFS was
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 14,
2023.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for pollock, Atka mackerel, and Pacific cod 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 January 10,
2024.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 19, 2023.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28323 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
