Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment to the 2024 Gulf of Alaska Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts, 88840-88842 [2023-28324]
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88840
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
HAL gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), December 21, 2023,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31,
2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adam Zaleski, 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 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 2023 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to catcher/processors using
HAL gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the GOA is 1,439 metric tons
(mt) as established by the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238,
March 2, 2023) and inseason adjustment
(88 FR 76141, November 6, 2023).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Regional Administrator has
determined that the 2023 Pacific cod
TAC apportioned to catcher/processors
using HAL gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon
be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 1,430 mt and is
setting aside the remaining 9 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
catcher/processors using HAL gear in
the Western 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.
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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
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NMFS from responding to the most
recent fisheries data in a timely fashion
and would delay the closure of Pacific
cod by catcher/processors using HAL
gear in the Western 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 December 19, 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: December 20, 2023.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–28416 Filed 12–21–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224–0053; RTID 0648–
XD598]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Inseason Adjustment
to the 2024 Gulf of Alaska Pollock 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.
AGENCY:
NMFS is adjusting the 2024
total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries. This action is
necessary because NMFS has
determined these TACs are incorrectly
specified, and will ensure the GOA
pollock and Pacific cod TACs are the
appropriate amount based on the best
scientific information available for
pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA.
This action is consistent with the goals
and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish
of the Gulf of Alaska.
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 GOA
SUMMARY:
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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 eRulemaking 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
GOA exclusive economic zone
according to the FMP for Groundfish of
the Gulf of Alaska 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 part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) set the
2024 pollock TAC at 168,416 metric
tons (mt) in the GOA. In December
2023, the Council recommended a 2024
pollock TAC of 195,720 mt for the GOA,
which is greater than the 168,416 mt
established by the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA. The Council’s recommended
2024 TAC, and the area and seasonal
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
apportionments, is based on the Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2023.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) set the
2024 Pacific cod TAC at 16,668 mt in
the GOA. In December 2023, the
Council recommended a 2024 Pacific
cod TAC of 23,766 mt for the GOA,
which is greater than the 16,668 mt
established by the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA. The Council’s recommended
2024 TAC, and the area and seasonal
apportionments, is based on the SAFE,
dated November 2023.
Steller sea lions occur in the same
location as the pollock and Pacific cod
fisheries and are listed as endangered
under the Endangered Species Act.
Pollock and Pacific cod are principal
prey species for Steller sea lions in the
GOA. The seasonal apportionment of
pollock and Pacific cod harvests are
necessary to ensure the groundfish
fisheries are not likely to cause jeopardy
of extinction or adverse modification of
critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The
regulations at § 679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify
how the pollock TAC will be
apportioned and the regulations at
§ 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i) specify
how the Pacific cod TAC will be
apportioned.
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 best
scientific information available for this
fishery, the current GOA pollock and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly
specified. Consequently, pursuant to
§ 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator is adjusting the 2024
GOA pollock TAC to 195,720 mt and the
2024 Pacific cod TAC to 23,766 mt.
Therefore, tables 4 and 6 of the final
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238,
March 2, 2023) are revised consistent
with this adjustment.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv), table 4
of the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) is revised
for the 2024 TACs of pollock in the
Central and Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA.
TABLE 4—FINAL 2024 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL REGULATORY AREAS OF THE GULF OF
ALASKA; AREA APPORTIONMENTS; 1 AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
Shumigan
(Area 610)
Season 2
Chirikof
(Area 620)
Kodiak
(Area 630)
Total 3
A (January 20–May 31) ...................................................................................
B (September 1–November 1) ........................................................................
5,422
33,460
70,918
20,019
13,862
36,725
90,202
90,204
Annual Total .............................................................................................
38,882
90,937
50,587
180,406
1 Area
apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
2 As established by § 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (ii), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in
this table.
3 The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs
shown in this table.
Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and
(a)(12)(i), table 6 of the final 2022 and
2023 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238,
March 2, 2023) is revised for the 2024
TACs of Pacific cod in the GOA.
TABLE 6—FINAL 2024 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
A Season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
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Regulatory area and sector
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line CV .........................................................
Hook-and-line CP .........................................................
Trawl CV .......................................................................
Trawl CP .......................................................................
All Pot CV and Pot CP .................................................
153
84
1,182
2,292
143
2,268
N/A
0.7%
10.9%
31.54%
0.9%
19.80%
92
42
651
1,882
54
1,182
N/A
0.70%
8.90%
6.86%
1.50%
18.20%
61
42
531
409
90
1,086
Total .......................................................................
6,121
63.84%
3,902
36.16%
2,219
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC) .........................................................
Hook-and-line <50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line ≥50 CV ..................................................
Hook-and-line CP .........................................................
Trawl CV 1 .....................................................................
Trawl CP .......................................................................
154
2,232
1,025
780
6,357
642
N/A
9.32%
5.61%
4.11%
25.29%
2.00%
93
1,424
858
628
3,867
306
N/A
5.29%
1.10%
1.00%
16.29%
2.19%
62
808
168
152
2,490
335
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88842
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 6—FINAL 2024 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH
AMOUNTS IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE EASTERN
GOA INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS—Continued
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
A Season
Annual
allocation
(mt)
Regulatory area and sector
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
B Season
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
Sector
percentage of
annual non-jig
TAC
Seasonal
allowances
(mt)
All Pot CV and Pot CP .................................................
4,251
17.83%
2,726
9.98%
1,525
Total .......................................................................
15,442
64.16%
9,901
35.84%
5,541
Eastern GOA ........................................................................
........................
Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
1,983
220
2,203
1 Trawl
catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 588 mt, of the annual Central GOA TAC (see
table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see table 13. Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA and table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).
Classification
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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 allocation for
pollock and Pacific cod 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 and Pacific cod in the GOA to
be harvested in an expedient manner
and in accordance 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.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
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. 2023–28324 Filed 12–22–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:31 Dec 22, 2023
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50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224–0053; RTID 0648–
XD578]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of
Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.
AGENCY:
NMFS is reallocating the
projected unused amount of Pacific cod
from vessels using pot gear to catcher
vessels using trawl gear, catcher vessels
using hook-and-line gear, and vessels
using jig gear in the Western Regulatory
Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
action is necessary to allow the 2023
total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific
cod to be harvested.
DATES: Effective December 21, 2023,
through 2400 hours, Alaska local time
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA 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
SUMMARY:
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appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2023 Pacific cod TAC specified
for vessels using pot gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,716 mt,
as established by the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238,
March 2, 2023) and one reallocation (88
FR 76141, November 6, 2023).
The 2023 Pacific cod TAC specified
for catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA
is 1,526 metric tons (mt), as established
by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) and one
reallocation (88 FR 76141, November 6,
2023).
The 2023 Pacific cod TAC specified
for catcher vessels using hook-and-line
gear in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA is 291 mt, as established by the
final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) and one
reallocation (88 FR 76141, November 6,
2023).
The 2023 Pacific cod TAC specified
for vessels using jig gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 131 mt,
as established by the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238,
March 2, 2023).
The Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has
determined vessels using pot gear will
not be able to harvest 232 mt of the 2023
Pacific cod TAC allocated to those
vessels under § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(5).
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), NMFS apportions
232 mt of Pacific cod from vessels using
pot gear to the annual amount specified
for catcher vessels using trawl gear,
E:\FR\FM\26DER1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 88840-88842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28324]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD598]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inseason
Adjustment to the 2024 Gulf of Alaska Pollock 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 Gulf of Alaska (GOA) pollock and Pacific cod fisheries. This
action is necessary because NMFS has determined these TACs are
incorrectly specified, and will ensure the GOA pollock and Pacific cod
TACs are the appropriate amount based on the best scientific
information available for pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA. This
action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery
Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.
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 GOA 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 eRulemaking 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
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the FMP for Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska 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 part 600 and 50
CFR part 679.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) set the 2024 pollock TAC at
168,416 metric tons (mt) in the GOA. In December 2023, the Council
recommended a 2024 pollock TAC of 195,720 mt for the GOA, which is
greater than the 168,416 mt established by the final 2023 and 2024
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's
recommended 2024 TAC, and the area and seasonal
[[Page 88841]]
apportionments, is based on the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
report (SAFE), dated November 2023.
The final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in
the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) set the 2024 Pacific cod TAC at
16,668 mt in the GOA. In December 2023, the Council recommended a 2024
Pacific cod TAC of 23,766 mt for the GOA, which is greater than the
16,668 mt established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications
for groundfish in the GOA. The Council's recommended 2024 TAC, and the
area and seasonal apportionments, is based on the SAFE, dated November
2023.
Steller sea lions occur in the same location as the pollock and
Pacific cod fisheries and are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act. Pollock and Pacific cod are principal prey species for
Steller sea lions in the GOA. The seasonal apportionment of pollock and
Pacific cod harvests are necessary to ensure the groundfish fisheries
are not likely to cause jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification
of critical habitat for Steller sea lions. The regulations at Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv) specify how the pollock TAC will be apportioned and
the regulations at Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i) specify how
the Pacific cod TAC will be apportioned.
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 best scientific
information available for this fishery, the current GOA pollock and
Pacific cod TACs are incorrectly specified. Consequently, pursuant to
Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator is adjusting the
2024 GOA pollock TAC to 195,720 mt and the 2024 Pacific cod TAC to
23,766 mt. Therefore, tables 4 and 6 of the final 2023 and 2024 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023)
are revised consistent with this adjustment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv), table 4 of the final 2023 and
2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238,
March 2, 2023) is revised for the 2024 TACs of pollock in the Central
and Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Table 4--Final 2024 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska;
Area Apportionments; \1\ and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shumigan (Area Chirikof (Area Kodiak (Area
Season \2\ 610) 620) 630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A (January 20-May 31)........................... 5,422 70,918 13,862 90,202
B (September 1-November 1)...................... 33,460 20,019 36,725 90,204
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Total................................ 38,882 90,937 50,587 180,406
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2)(i) through (ii), the A and B season allowances are available from
January 20 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for
processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii) and (a)(12)(i), table 6 of the
final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) is revised for the 2024 TACs of Pacific
cod in the GOA.
Table 6--Final 2024 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the
GOA; Allocations in the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual Sector Sector
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentage of Seasonal percentage of Seasonal
(mt) annual non-jig allowances annual non-jig allowances
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 153 N/A 92 N/A 61
Hook-and-line CV............ 84 0.7% 42 0.70% 42
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,182 10.9% 651 8.90% 531
Trawl CV.................... 2,292 31.54% 1,882 6.86% 409
Trawl CP.................... 143 0.9% 54 1.50% 90
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 2,268 19.80% 1,182 18.20% 1,086
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 6,121 63.84% 3,902 36.16% 2,219
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (1.0% of TAC)........... 154 N/A 93 N/A 62
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 2,232 9.32% 1,424 5.29% 808
Hook-and-line >=50 CV....... 1,025 5.61% 858 1.10% 168
Hook-and-line CP............ 780 4.11% 628 1.00% 152
Trawl CV \1\................ 6,357 25.29% 3,867 16.29% 2,490
Trawl CP.................... 642 2.00% 306 2.19% 335
[[Page 88842]]
All Pot CV and Pot CP....... 4,251 17.83% 2,726 9.98% 1,525
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 15,442 64.16% 9,901 35.84% 5,541
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,203 1,983
220
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 588 mt, of the
annual Central GOA TAC (see table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), which is deducted from the Trawl CV B season
allowance (see table 13. Final 2024 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and table
28c to 50 CFR part 679).
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 allocation for pollock and Pacific cod 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 and Pacific cod in the GOA 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. 2023-28324 Filed 12-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
