Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Sablefish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 35013-35014 [2024-09350]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
necessary to remove the existing
Snohomish River coho salmon
rebuilding plan from regulation. The
proposed rule was issued on February
28, 2024, and the comment period
closed on March 14, 2024.
Public Comment
No comments were received during
the public comment period of February
28 to March 14, 2024. No changes were
made from the proposed rule.
Classification
NMFS is issuing this rule pursuant to
section 305(d) of the MSA. This reason
for using this regulatory authority is:
pursuant to MSA section 305(d), this
action is necessary to carry out this
regulatory amendment, because it
implements technical and minor
administrative changes to the
regulations governing the salmon
fishery. The NMFS Assistant
Administrator has determined that this
final rule is consistent with the Salmon
FMP and other applicable law.
This final rule has been determined to
be not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of
the Department of Commerce certified
to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Small Business Administration during
the proposed rule stage that this action
would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The factual basis for the
certification was published in the
proposed rule and is not repeated here.
No comments were received regarding
this certification or on the economic
impacts of the rule generally. As a
result, a regulatory flexibility analysis
was not required and none was
prepared. This final rule contains no
information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, and Recording and
reporting requirements.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
Dated: April 26, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part
660 as follows:
PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST
COAST STATES
1. The authority citation for part 660
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16
U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:34 Apr 30, 2024
Jkt 262001
§ 660.413
[Amended]
2. Amend § 660.413 by removing
paragraph (e).
■
[FR Doc. 2024–09380 Filed 4–30–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304–0068; RTID 0648–
XD853]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Sablefish in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of
closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is opening directed
fishing for sablefish by vessels using
trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI). This action is
necessary to fully use the 2024 sablefish
total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to
vessels using trawl gear in the Bering
Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2024, through
2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2024.
Comments must be received at the
following address (see ADDRESSES) no
later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., May 15,
2024.
SUMMARY:
You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2023–0124, 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–2023–0124 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
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
Frm 00061
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
35013
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
‘‘NA’’ in the required fields if you wish
to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7228.
NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
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.
Pursuant to the final 2024 and 2025
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024)
NMFS closed directed fishing for
sablefish using trawl gear in the Bering
Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the BSAI under
§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii).
As of April 24, 2024, NMFS has
determined that approximately 3,380
metric tons (mt) in the Bering Sea
subarea and 1,780 mt in the Aleutian
Islands subarea of sablefish initial TAC
allocated to trawl gear remains
unharvested. Therefore, in accordance
with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the
2024 sablefish TAC allocated to trawl in
the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian
Islands subarea of the BSAI, NMFS is
terminating the previous closure and is
opening directed fishing for sablefish by
vessels using trawl gear in the Bering
Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the BSAI. This will enhance
the socioeconomic well-being of
harvesters in this area. The
Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional
Administrator) considered the following
factors in reaching this decision: (1) the
current catch of sablefish allocated to
trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the
BSAI; and, (2) the harvest capacity and
stated intent on future harvesting
patterns of vessels in participating in
this fishery.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM
01MYR1
35014
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 1, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1
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 opening of directed
fishing for sablefish by vessels using
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:34 Apr 30, 2024
Jkt 262001
trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the
BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of April 24, 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.
Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the fishery for
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in
Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian
Islands subarea of the BSAI 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 May 15, 2024.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 25, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–09350 Filed 4–30–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM
01MYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35013-35014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09350]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XD853]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawl
Sablefish 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; modification of closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for sablefish by vessels
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI).
This action is necessary to fully use the 2024 sablefish total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to vessels using trawl gear in the
Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2024,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2024. Comments must be
received at the following address (see ADDRESSES) no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., May 15, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by
NOAA-NMFS-2023-0124, 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-2023-0124 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 ``NA'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
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.
Pursuant to the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) NMFS closed
directed fishing for sablefish using trawl gear in the Bering Sea
subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI under Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii).
As of April 24, 2024, NMFS has determined that approximately 3,380
metric tons (mt) in the Bering Sea subarea and 1,780 mt in the Aleutian
Islands subarea of sablefish initial TAC allocated to trawl gear
remains unharvested. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize
the 2024 sablefish TAC allocated to trawl in the Bering Sea subarea and
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for sablefish by
vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian
Islands subarea of the BSAI. This will enhance the socioeconomic well-
being of harvesters in this area. The Administrator, Alaska Region
(Regional Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching
this decision: (1) the current catch of sablefish allocated to trawl
gear in the Bering Sea subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the
BSAI; and, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future
harvesting patterns of vessels in participating in this fishery.
[[Page 35014]]
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 opening of directed
fishing for sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea
subarea and the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable
to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became available as of April 24, 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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in Bering Sea subarea and the
Aleutian Islands subarea of 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 May 15, 2024.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 25, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09350 Filed 4-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P