Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 88842-88843 [2023-28465]

Download as PDF 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 Jkt 262001 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: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 26DER1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2023 / Rules and Regulations catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, and vessels using jig gear. The harvest specifications for 2023 Pacific cod included in the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) and one reallocation (88 FR 76141, November 6, 2023) is revised as follows: 1,484 mt to vessels using pot gear, 1,531 mt to catcher vessels using trawl gear, 516 mt to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, and 132 mt to vessels using jig gear. 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:31 Dec 22, 2023 Jkt 262001 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. This requirement is 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 originally specified apportionment of the Pacific cod TAC. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 88843 recent, relevant data only became available as of December 20, 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. 2023–28465 Filed 12–21–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\26DER1.SGM 26DER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 88842-88843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28465]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: 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 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 Sec.  
679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)(5).
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  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,

[[Page 88843]]

catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, and vessels using jig gear.
    The harvest specifications for 2023 Pacific cod included in the 
final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023) and one 
reallocation (88 FR 76141, November 6, 2023) is revised as follows: 
1,484 mt to vessels using pot gear, 1,531 mt to catcher vessels using 
trawl gear, 516 mt to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, and 132 
mt to vessels using jig gear.

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. 
This requirement is 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 
originally specified apportionment of the Pacific cod TAC. NMFS was 
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because 
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 20, 
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. 2023-28465 Filed 12-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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