Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 24736-24737 [2024-07483]

Download as PDF 24736 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 9, 2024 / Rules and Regulations documentation. The authorized representative has discretion to approve the requested time extension or establish the length of time that the State regulatory authority has to complete its investigation. The sum total of additional time for any one possible violation must not exceed 90 days. At the conclusion of the specified additional time, the authorized representative will re-evaluate the State regulatory authority’s response, including any additional information provided; (iii) OSMRE has identified substantively similar possible violations on separate permits and considers the possible violations as a single State regulatory program issue addressed through § 733.12 of this chapter. Previously identified possible violations that were the subject of ten-day notices or subsequent, substantively similar violations may be included in the same State regulatory program issue; * * * * * (b)(2) An authorized representative will have reason to believe that a violation, condition, or practice referred to in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section exists if the facts that a complainant alleges, or facts that are otherwise known to the authorized representative, support the existence of a possible violation, condition, or practice. In making this determination, the authorized representative will consider information from a citizen complainant, information available in OSMRE files at the time that OSMRE is notified of the possible violation, and publicly available electronic information. All citizen complaints will be considered as requests for a Federal inspection under § 842.12. If the information supplied by the complainant results in a Federal inspection, the complainant will be offered the opportunity to accompany OSMRE on the Federal inspection. * * * * * ■ 7. Amend § 842.12 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 § 842.12 Requests for Federal inspections. (a) Any person may request a Federal inspection under § 842.11(b) by providing to an authorized representative a signed, written statement (or an oral report followed by a signed, written statement) setting forth information that, along with any other information the complainant chooses to provide, may give the authorized representative reason to believe that a violation, condition, or practice referred to in § 842.11(b)(1)(i) exists. In making this determination, the authorized representative will consider information VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:44 Apr 08, 2024 Jkt 262001 from a citizen complainant, information available in OSMRE files at the time that OSMRE receives the request for a Federal inspection, and publicly available electronic information. The statement must also set forth a phone number, address, and, if available, an email address where the person can be contacted. All citizen complaints under § 842.11(b) will be considered as requests for a Federal inspection. If the information supplied by the complainant results in a Federal inspection, the complainant will be offered the opportunity to accompany OSMRE on the Federal inspection. * * * * * [FR Doc. 2024–07248 Filed 4–8–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–05–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 240304–0068; RTID 0648– XD854] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 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 jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 4, 2024, through 2400 hours, (A.l.t.), December 31, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907–581–2062. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 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 under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 apportionment of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 1,169 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024). The 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-andline or pot gear in the BSAI is 2,767 mt as established by final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 1,100 mt of the A season apportionment of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C), NMFS apportions 1,100 mt of Pacific cod from the A season jig gear apportionment to the annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. The harvest specifications for 2024 Pacific cod included in final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) are revised as follows: 69 mt to the A season apportionment and 848 mt to the annual amount for vessels using jig gear, and 3,867 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot 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, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the reallocation of Pacific cod specified from jig vessels to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. NMFS was unable to publish a notification providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of April 3, 2024. E:\FR\FM\09APR1.SGM 09APR1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 9, 2024 / Rules and Regulations 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: April 3, 2024. Everett Wayne Baxter, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–07483 Filed 4–4–24; 4:15 pm] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:44 Apr 08, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 24737 E:\FR\FM\09APR1.SGM 09APR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 9, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24736-24737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07483]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XD854]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet 
(18.3 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is 
necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2024 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 4, 2024, 
through 2400 hours, (A.l.t.), December 31, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 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 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 apportionment of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified 
for vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 1,169 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024).
    The 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in 
the BSAI is 2,767 mt as established by final 2024 and 2025 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 
2024).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 1,100 mt of 
the A season apportionment of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to 
those vessels under Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C), NMFS apportions 1,100 mt of 
Pacific cod from the A season jig gear apportionment to the annual 
amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA 
using hook-and-line or pot gear.
    The harvest specifications for 2024 Pacific cod included in final 
2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 
17287, March 11, 2024) are revised as follows: 69 mt to the A season 
apportionment and 848 mt to the annual amount for vessels using jig 
gear, and 3,867 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA 
using hook-and-line or pot 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, 
as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries 
data in a timely fashion and would delay the reallocation of Pacific 
cod specified from jig vessels to catcher vessels less than 60 feet 
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. NMFS was unable to 
publish a notification providing time for public comment because the 
most recent, relevant data only became available as of April 3, 2024.

[[Page 24737]]

    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: April 3, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-07483 Filed 4-4-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.