Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 10008-10009 [2024-02888]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat
permitted vessels when fishing
recreationally for BFT, and is taken
consistent with the regulations at
§ 635.28(a)(1). This action is intended to
prevent further overharvest of the
Angling category southern area trophy
BFT subquota.
If needed to ensure available quotas or
subquotas are not exceeded or to
enhance fishing opportunities,
subsequent Angling category
adjustments or closures will be
published in the Federal Register per
§§ 635.27(a)(7) and 635.28(a)(1).
Information regarding the Angling
category fishery for Atlantic tunas,
including daily retention limits for BFT
measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less
than 73 inches (185 cm), and any further
Angling category adjustments, is
available at https://www.hmspermits.
noaa.gov. During a closure, fishermen
aboard HMS Angling and HMS Charter/
Headboat permitted vessels when
fishing recreationally may continue to
catch and release (or tag and release)
BFT of all sizes, subject to the
requirements of the catch-and-release
and tag-and-release programs at
§ 635.26. All BFT that are released must
be handled in a manner that will
maximize survival, and without
removing the fish from the water,
consistent with requirements at
§ 635.21(a)(1). For additional
information on safe handling, see the
‘‘Careful Catch and Release’’ brochure
available at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/
outreach-and-education/careful-catchand-release-brochure/.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
Monitoring and Reporting
NMFS will continue to monitor the
BFT fisheries closely. Per § 635.5(c)(1),
HMS Angling and HMS Charter/
Headboat permitted vessel owners are
required to report the catch of all BFT
retained or discarded dead, within 24
hours of the landing(s) or end of each
trip, by accessing https://
www.hmspermits.noaa.gov, using the
HMS Catch Reporting app, or calling
(888) 872–8862 (Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.).
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to
section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act and regulations at 50 CFR part 635
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS (AA) finds that pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), it is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest to provide
prior notice of, and an opportunity for
public comment on, this action for the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:07 Feb 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
following reasons. Specifically, the
regulations implementing the 2006
Consolidated HMS FMP and its
amendments provide for inseason
retention limit adjustments and fishery
closures to respond to the unpredictable
nature of BFT availability on the fishing
grounds, the migratory nature of this
species, and the regional variations in
the BFT fishery. Providing for prior
notice and opportunity to comment is
impracticable and contrary to the public
interest as this fishery is currently
underway and, based on landings
information, the Angling category
southern area fishery subquota has been
reached and exceeded. Delaying this
action could result in further excessive
trophy BFT landings that may result in
future potential quota reductions for the
Angling category, depending on the
magnitude of a potential Angling
category overharvest. NMFS must close
the southern area trophy BFT fishery
before additional landings of these sizes
of BFT occur. Taking this action does
not raise conservation and management
concerns, and would support effective
management of the BFT fishery. NMFS
notes that the public had an opportunity
to comment on the underlying
rulemakings that established the U.S.
BFT quota and the inseason adjustment
criteria.
For all of the above reasons, the AA
also finds that pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(d), there is good cause to waive the
30-day delay in effectiveness.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
Dated: February 7, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–02910 Filed 2–8–24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224–0053]
RTID 0648–XD651
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using
pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2024 total
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by
vessels using pot gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), February 9, 2024,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10,
2024.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Abby Jahn, 907–586–7228.
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 (Magnuson-Stevens
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 A season allowance of the 2024
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels
using pot gear in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA is 2,726 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 88840, December 26, 2023).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Regional Administrator has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA
will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 2,716 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 10 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
vessels using pot gear in the Central
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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
E:\FR\FM\13FER1.SGM
13FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 30 / Tuesday, February 13, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
section 304(b), and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there
is good cause to waive prior notice and
an opportunity for public comment on
this action, as notice and comment
would be impracticable and contrary to
the public interest, as it would prevent
NMFS from responding to the most
recent fisheries data in a timely fashion
and would delay the closure of Pacific
cod by vessels using pot gear in the
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:07 Feb 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
Central 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 February 7,
2024.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
10009
waiver of prior notice and opportunity
for public comment.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 7, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–02888 Filed 2–9–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\13FER1.SGM
13FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 13, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10008-10009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02888]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 230224-0053]
RTID 0648-XD651
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod
by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 9,
2024, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 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 Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens 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 A season allowance of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is
2,726 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 88840, December 26, 2023).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2024
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
2,716 mt and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch to support
other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec.
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 vessels using pot gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
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
[[Page 10009]]
section 304(b), and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest,
as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of Pacific cod by
vessels using pot gear in the Central 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
February 7, 2024.
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: February 7, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02888 Filed 2-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
