Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Management Measures for the 2024 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery, 40417-40419 [2024-10185]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 92 / Friday, May 10, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program Number 93.658, Foster Care
Maintenance; 93.659, Adoption Assistance;
93.645, Child Welfare Services—State
Grants).
Dated: April 30, 2024.
Xavier Becerra,
Secretary, Department of Health and Human
Services.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, ACF amends 45 CFR part
1356 as follows:
PART 1356—REQUIREMENTS
APPLICABLE TO TITLE IV–E
(iii) Legal representation provided by
an attorney representing an Indian
child’s tribe (as defined by 25
U.S.C.1903(5)), or representation of an
Indian child’s tribe provided by a nonattorney, when the child’s tribe
participates or intervenes in any state
court proceeding for the foster care
placement or termination of parental
rights of an Indian child who is in title
IV–E foster care or an Indian child who
is a candidate for title IV–E foster care.
*
*
*
*
*
[FR Doc. 2024–09663 Filed 5–8–24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4184–25–P
1. The authority citation for part 1356
continues to read as follows:
727.7003
40417
[Corrected]
2. On page 37961, in the first column,
in § 727.7003, in paragraph (a), in the
first sentence, remove the words ‘‘to
USAID’’.
■
Jami J. Rodgers,
Chief Acquisition Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024–10189 Filed 5–9–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6116–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
■
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 620 et seq., 42 U.S.C.
670 et seq., 42 U.S.C. 1302.
2. Amend § 1356.60 by revising
paragraphs (c)(2)(viii) through (x) and
adding paragraphs (c)(2)(xi) and (c)(4) to
read as follows:
■
§ 1356.60
Fiscal requirements (title IV–E).
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(viii) Rate setting;
(ix) A proportionate share of related
agency overhead;
(x) Costs related to data collection and
reporting; and
(xi) Costs related to legal
representation described in paragraph
(c)(4) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
(4) The following are allowable
administrative costs of legal
representation:
(i) Legal representation in foster care
proceedings provided by an attorney
representing the title IV–E agency or any
other public agency (including an
Indian tribe) which has an agreement in
effect under which the other agency has
placement and care responsibility of a
title IV–E eligible child pursuant to
472(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Act;
(ii) Independent legal representation
provided by an attorney representing a
child in title IV–E foster care, a child
who is a candidate for title IV–E foster
care, the child’s parent(s), the child’s
relative caregiver(s), and the child’s
Indian custodian(s) in foster care and
other civil legal proceedings as
necessary to carry out the requirements
in the agency’s title IV–E foster care
plan. Independent legal representation
in civil proceedings includes
facilitating, arranging, brokering,
advocating, or otherwise linking clients
with providers and services as
identified in the child’s case plan
pursuant to sections 422, 471(a)(16), and
475 of the Act; and
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:50 May 09, 2024
Jkt 262001
50 CFR Part 300
AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. 240506–0128; RTID 0648–
XD634]
48 CFR Parts 727, 742, and 752
Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West
Coast; Management Measures for the
2024 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed
Commercial Fishery
RIN 0412–AA90
USAID Acquisition Regulation:
Planning, Collection, and Submission
of Digital Information; Submission of
Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and
Learning Plan to USAID; Correction
U.S. Agency for International
Development.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
AGENCY:
On May 6, 2024, the United
States Agency for International
Development (USAID) published a final
rule amending USAID’s Acquisition
Regulation (AIDAR) that implements
USAID requirements for managing
digital information as a strategic asset to
inform the planning, design,
implementation, monitoring, and
evaluation of the Agency’s foreign
assistance programs. The rule contained
two errors which this document is
correcting.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Effective June 5, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kelly Miskowski, USAID M/OAA/P, at
202–256–7378 or policymailbox@
usaid.gov for clarification of content or
information pertaining to status or
publication schedules. All
communications regarding this rule
must cite AIDAR RIN No. 0412–AA90.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Correction
In FR Doc. 2024–09373, appearing on
page 37948 in the Federal Register of
Monday, May 6, 2024, the following
corrections are made:
■ 1. In the preamble on page 37948, in
the first column, in SUMMARY, in the first
sentence, add the word ‘‘is’’ after
‘‘(USAID)’’.
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS is implementing
fishing periods and fishing period limits
for the 2024 Pacific halibut non-tribal
directed commercial fishery off the West
Coast south of Point Chehalis, WA. This
action establishes two fishing periods,
June 25–27 and July 9–11, 2024. NMFS
is also implementing vessel catch limits
applicable to eight vessel size classes.
These actions are intended to conserve
Pacific halibut and provide fishing
opportunity where available.
DATES: This rule is effective on June 25,
2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Heather Fitch, West Coast Region,
NMFS, (360) 320–6549, heather.fitch@
noaa.gov.
SUMMARY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Northern Pacific Halibut Act of
1982 (16 U.S.C. 773–773k) (Halibut
Act), gives the Secretary of Commerce
responsibility for implementing the
provisions of the Convention between
Canada and the United States for the
Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of
the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea
(Convention), signed at Ottawa, Ontario,
on March 2, 1953, as amended by a
Protocol Amending the Convention
(March 29, 1979).
The Secretary of State, with the
concurrence of the Secretary of
Commerce and on behalf of the United
E:\FR\FM\10MYR1.SGM
10MYR1
40418
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 92 / Friday, May 10, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
States, has accepted regulations
recommended by the International
Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), in
accordance with the Convention, which
govern the Pacific halibut fishery in all
regulatory areas, and include the 2024
catch limit for the Area 2A non-tribal
directed commercial fishery. The IPHC’s
Area 2A is located off the coasts of
Washington, Oregon and California, and
includes the area south of Point
Chehalis, WA, (lat. 46°53.30′ N) to the
U.S./Mexico border. NMFS published
the IPHC regulations in the Federal
Register on March 18, 2024 (89 FR
19275) to provide notice of their
immediate regulatory effectiveness and
to inform persons subject to the
regulations of their restrictions and
requirements (50 CFR 300.62).
In accordance with 16 U.S.C. 773c(c)
of the Halibut Act, the Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council)
developed a catch sharing plan (CSP)
guiding the framework distribution of
the overall Area 2A allocation of Pacific
halibut across the various sectors. Based
on the 2024 Area 2A fishery constant
exploitation yield (FCEY) of 1.47
million pounds (667 mt), net weight
(i.e., the weight of Pacific halibut that is
without gills and entrails, head-off,
washed, and without ice and slime), and
the allocation framework in the CSP, the
non-tribal directed commercial Pacific
halibut fishery allocation for 2024 is
249,338 pounds (113 mt), net weight (89
FR 19275, March 18, 2024).
This final rule implements annual
management measures for 2024 for the
directed commercial Pacific halibut
fishery in Area 2A that are not part of
the annual IPHC regulations,
specifically fishing periods and fishing
period limits. This final rule adopts,
without changes, the annual
management measures from the
proposed rule published on March 13,
2024 (89 FR 18368). Specifically, this
action establishes two 58-hour fishing
periods and four fishing period limits
(i.e. vessel catch limits) across eight
vessel size classes for both fishing
periods.
Fishing Periods
Fishing periods, often referred to as
fishery openers, are the times during the
IPHC coastwide commercial Pacific
halibut season when fishing in the nontribal directed commercial Pacific
halibut fishery in Area 2A is allowed.
NMFS is implementing two fishing
periods open for 58 hours each. The first
fishing period will begin on June 25,
2024, at 8 a.m. PDT and close on June
27, 2024, at 6 p.m. PDT. The second
fishing period will begin on July 9,
2024, at 8 a.m. PDT and close on July
11, 2024, at 6 p.m. PDT.
Following the initial two fishing
periods, NMFS will assess fishery
harvest and determine if the fishery has
attained the non-tribal directed
commercial allocation. If harvest
estimates indicate the allocation has not
been reached, NMFS may determine
that subsequent fishing period(s) are
necessary to attain the allocation. If a
third fishing period occurs, it would
occur no sooner than 3 weeks after the
second fishing period. A third fishing
period, and any subsequent fishing
periods, would be announced in the
Federal Register through inseason
action consistent with 50 CFR 300.63(e).
Fishing Period Limits
A fishing period limit, also called a
vessel catch limit, is the maximum
amount of Pacific halibut that may be
retained and landed by a vessel during
one fishing period. Each vessel may
retain no more than the current fishing
period limit of Pacific halibut for its
vessel class, which is determined by
vessel length. NMFS is implementing
the non-tribal directed commercial
fishing period limits shown in table 1
below. Fishing period limits are
intended to ensure that the Area 2A
directed commercial fishery does not
exceed its allocation, while also
providing fair and equitable access
across participants to an attainable
amount of harvest.
If NMFS determines that more than
two fishing periods are warranted,
NMFS will set new associated fishing
period limits and any such fishing
period limits for subsequent fishing
periods will be set equal across all
vessel classes. Any subsequent fishing
period limits would be announced in
the Federal Register through inseason
action consistent with 50 CFR 300.63(e).
2024 Non-Tribal Directed Commercial
Fishery Fishing Periods and Fishing
Period Limits
The Area 2A non-tribal directed
commercial fishery, which occurs south
of Point Chehalis, WA, (lat. 46°53.30′
N), will open on June 25, 2024, at 8 a.m.
PDT and close on June 27, 2024, at 6
p.m. PDT, and will re-open on July 9,
2024, at 8 a.m. PDT and close on July
11, 2024, at 6 p.m. PDT. The fishery’s
fishing periods may be adjusted
inseason consistent with 50 CFR 300.63.
TABLE 1—FISHING PERIOD LIMITS BY SIZE CLASS FOR THE 2024 FIRST AND SECOND FISHING PERIODS OF THE AREA 2A
PACIFIC HALIBUT NON-TRIBAL DIRECTED COMMERCIAL FISHERY
Vessel class
Length range
in feet
(meters)
Fishing period limit
in pounds
(mt)
A ........................................................
B ........................................................
C .......................................................
D .......................................................
E ........................................................
F ........................................................
G .......................................................
H .......................................................
1–25 (0.3–7.8) ............................................................................................
26–30 (7.9–9.3) ..........................................................................................
31–35 (9.4–10.9) ........................................................................................
36–40 (11.0–12.4) ......................................................................................
41–45 (12.5–13.9) ......................................................................................
46–50 (14.0–15.4) ......................................................................................
51–55 (15.5–16.9) ......................................................................................
56+ (17.0+) .................................................................................................
1,800 (0.8164)
1,800 (0.8164)
1,800 (0.8164)
3,000 (1.361)
3,000 (1.361)
3,800 (1.724)
3,800 (1.724)
4,500 (2.041)
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Note: Fishing period limits are in dressed weight (head-on, with ice and slime).
Comments and Responses
NMFS published a proposed rule on
March 13, 2024 (89 FR 18368) and
accepted public comments on the 2024
Area 2A Pacific halibut directed
commercial fishery annual management
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:50 May 09, 2024
Jkt 262001
measures through April 12, 2024. NMFS
received one public comment.
Comment 1: NMFS received a
comment from a member of the public
expressing the opinion that retention of
a Pacific halibut weighing over 150
pounds should not be allowed.
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Response: Size limits were not within
the scope of this action. However,
NMFS has determined that this action is
based on the best scientific information
available. For 2024, the IPHC adopted a
minimum size limit for commercial
fisheries in its annual management
E:\FR\FM\10MYR1.SGM
10MYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 92 / Friday, May 10, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
measures (89 FR 19275, March 9, 2024).
In addition, the IPHC previously
examined maximum size limits 1 and is
conducting ongoing research activities
examining factors that influence Pacific
halibut biomass. Consistent with its
statutory and other obligations, NMFS
will continue to keep abreast of the
IPHC’s ongoing research and ensure that
its regulatory actions, including its
approval of annual Pacific halibut
management measures, are based on the
best scientific information available.
Classification
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773–773k.
Dated: May 6, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–10185 Filed 5–9–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
1 Stewart, I., A. Hicks, and B. Hutniczak. 2020.
Evaluation of directed commercial fishery size
limits in 2020. IPHC–2021–AM097–09.
18:50 May 09, 2024
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 622
[Docket No. 240506–0129]
RIN 0648–BM46
Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of
Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico;
Amendment 56
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
Regulations governing the U.S.
fisheries for Pacific halibut are
developed by the IPHC, the Pacific
Fishery Management Council, the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council,
and the Secretary of Commerce. Section
5 of the Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut
Act, 16 U.S.C. 773c) allows the Regional
Council having authority for a particular
geographical area to develop regulations
governing the allocation and catch of
Pacific halibut in U.S. Convention
waters as long as those regulations do
not conflict with IPHC regulations.
This final rule is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866 because
this action contains no implementing
regulations.
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. 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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Jkt 262001
NMFS issues regulations to
implement management measures
described in Amendment 56 to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Reef
Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.
This final rule revises catch levels for
gag, accountability measures for its
recreational harvest, and the
recreational fishing season. In addition,
Amendment 56 establishes a rebuilding
plan for the overfished stock, and
revises the stock status determination
criteria and sector harvest allocations.
The purpose of this action is to
implement a rebuilding plan for gag and
revised management measures to end
overfishing and rebuild the stock.
DATES: This final rule is effective on
June 1, 2024.
ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of
Amendment 56 is available from the
Southeast Regional Office website at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/
amendment-56-modifications-catchlimits-sector-allocation-andrecreational-fishing-seasons.
Amendment 56 includes an
environmental assessment, a fishery
impact statement, a Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) analysis, and a
regulatory impact review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan
Luers, NMFS Southeast Regional Office,
telephone: 727–824–5305, or email:
daniel.luers@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS,
with the advice of the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council (Council),
manages the reef fish fishery, which
includes gag, in Federal waters of the
Gulf of Mexico (Gulf), under the Fishery
Management Plan for the Reef Fish
Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP).
The Council prepared the FMP, which
the Secretary of Commerce approved,
and NMFS implements the FMP
through regulations at 50 CFR part 622
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
40419
under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens
Act).
On October 18, 2023, NMFS
published a notice of availability for the
review of Amendment 56 and requested
public comment (88 FR 71812). On
November 9, 2023, NMFS published a
proposed rule for Amendment 56 and
requested public comment (88 FR
77246). NMFS approved Amendment 56
on January 17, 2024.
Background
Gag in Gulf Federal waters are found
primarily in the eastern Gulf. Juvenile
gag are estuarine dependent and often
inhabit shallow seagrass beds. As gag
mature, they move to deeper offshore
waters to live and spawn. Gag is
managed as a single stock with a stock
annual catch limit (ACL) that is further
divided or allocated into commercial
and recreational sector ACLs. Currently,
that allocation of the stock ACL is 39
percent to the commercial sector and 61
percent to the recreational sector. All
weights in this final rule are given in
gutted weight.
Commercial fishing for gag is
managed under the individual fishing
quota (IFQ) program for groupers and
tilefishes (GT–IFQ program), which
began on January 1, 2010 (74 FR 44732,
August 31, 2009; 75 FR 9116, March 1,
2010). Under the GT–IFQ program, the
commercial quota for gag is set 23
percent below the gag commercial ACL,
and NMFS distributes allocation (in
pounds) of gag on January 1 each year
to those who hold shares (in percent) of
the gag total commercial quota. Both gag
and red grouper, another grouper
species managed under the GT–IFQ
program, have a commercial multi-use
provision that allows a portion of the
gag quota to be harvested under the red
grouper allocation, and vice versa. As
explained further in Amendment 56, the
multi-use provision is based on the
difference between the respective gag
and red grouper ACLs and quotas.
However, if gag is under a rebuilding
plan, as will occur under Amendment
56 and this final rule, the percentage of
red grouper multi-use allocation is equal
to zero. Commercial harvest of gag is
also restricted by area closures and a
minimum size limit.
NMFS, with the advice of the Council,
manages the recreational harvest of gag
with an ACL, an annual catch target
(ACT) set approximately 10 percent
below the ACL, in-season and postseason accountability measures (AMs)
to prevent and mitigate overfishing,
seasonal and area closures, a minimum
E:\FR\FM\10MYR1.SGM
10MYR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 92 (Friday, May 10, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40417-40419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-10185]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[Docket No. 240506-0128; RTID 0648-XD634]
Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Management Measures
for the 2024 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is implementing fishing periods and fishing period limits
for the 2024 Pacific halibut non-tribal directed commercial fishery off
the West Coast south of Point Chehalis, WA. This action establishes two
fishing periods, June 25-27 and July 9-11, 2024. NMFS is also
implementing vessel catch limits applicable to eight vessel size
classes. These actions are intended to conserve Pacific halibut and
provide fishing opportunity where available.
DATES: This rule is effective on June 25, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Fitch, West Coast Region,
NMFS, (360) 320-6549, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (16 U.S.C. 773-773k)
(Halibut Act), gives the Secretary of Commerce responsibility for
implementing the provisions of the Convention between Canada and the
United States for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the North
Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention), signed at Ottawa, Ontario,
on March 2, 1953, as amended by a Protocol Amending the Convention
(March 29, 1979).
The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of
Commerce and on behalf of the United
[[Page 40418]]
States, has accepted regulations recommended by the International
Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), in accordance with the Convention,
which govern the Pacific halibut fishery in all regulatory areas, and
include the 2024 catch limit for the Area 2A non-tribal directed
commercial fishery. The IPHC's Area 2A is located off the coasts of
Washington, Oregon and California, and includes the area south of Point
Chehalis, WA, (lat. 46[deg]53.30' N) to the U.S./Mexico border. NMFS
published the IPHC regulations in the Federal Register on March 18,
2024 (89 FR 19275) to provide notice of their immediate regulatory
effectiveness and to inform persons subject to the regulations of their
restrictions and requirements (50 CFR 300.62).
In accordance with 16 U.S.C. 773c(c) of the Halibut Act, the
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) developed a catch sharing
plan (CSP) guiding the framework distribution of the overall Area 2A
allocation of Pacific halibut across the various sectors. Based on the
2024 Area 2A fishery constant exploitation yield (FCEY) of 1.47 million
pounds (667 mt), net weight (i.e., the weight of Pacific halibut that
is without gills and entrails, head-off, washed, and without ice and
slime), and the allocation framework in the CSP, the non-tribal
directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery allocation for 2024 is
249,338 pounds (113 mt), net weight (89 FR 19275, March 18, 2024).
This final rule implements annual management measures for 2024 for
the directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery in Area 2A that are not
part of the annual IPHC regulations, specifically fishing periods and
fishing period limits. This final rule adopts, without changes, the
annual management measures from the proposed rule published on March
13, 2024 (89 FR 18368). Specifically, this action establishes two 58-
hour fishing periods and four fishing period limits (i.e. vessel catch
limits) across eight vessel size classes for both fishing periods.
Fishing Periods
Fishing periods, often referred to as fishery openers, are the
times during the IPHC coastwide commercial Pacific halibut season when
fishing in the non-tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery
in Area 2A is allowed. NMFS is implementing two fishing periods open
for 58 hours each. The first fishing period will begin on June 25,
2024, at 8 a.m. PDT and close on June 27, 2024, at 6 p.m. PDT. The
second fishing period will begin on July 9, 2024, at 8 a.m. PDT and
close on July 11, 2024, at 6 p.m. PDT.
Following the initial two fishing periods, NMFS will assess fishery
harvest and determine if the fishery has attained the non-tribal
directed commercial allocation. If harvest estimates indicate the
allocation has not been reached, NMFS may determine that subsequent
fishing period(s) are necessary to attain the allocation. If a third
fishing period occurs, it would occur no sooner than 3 weeks after the
second fishing period. A third fishing period, and any subsequent
fishing periods, would be announced in the Federal Register through
inseason action consistent with 50 CFR 300.63(e).
Fishing Period Limits
A fishing period limit, also called a vessel catch limit, is the
maximum amount of Pacific halibut that may be retained and landed by a
vessel during one fishing period. Each vessel may retain no more than
the current fishing period limit of Pacific halibut for its vessel
class, which is determined by vessel length. NMFS is implementing the
non-tribal directed commercial fishing period limits shown in table 1
below. Fishing period limits are intended to ensure that the Area 2A
directed commercial fishery does not exceed its allocation, while also
providing fair and equitable access across participants to an
attainable amount of harvest.
If NMFS determines that more than two fishing periods are
warranted, NMFS will set new associated fishing period limits and any
such fishing period limits for subsequent fishing periods will be set
equal across all vessel classes. Any subsequent fishing period limits
would be announced in the Federal Register through inseason action
consistent with 50 CFR 300.63(e).
2024 Non-Tribal Directed Commercial Fishery Fishing Periods and Fishing
Period Limits
The Area 2A non-tribal directed commercial fishery, which occurs
south of Point Chehalis, WA, (lat. 46[deg]53.30' N), will open on June
25, 2024, at 8 a.m. PDT and close on June 27, 2024, at 6 p.m. PDT, and
will re-open on July 9, 2024, at 8 a.m. PDT and close on July 11, 2024,
at 6 p.m. PDT. The fishery's fishing periods may be adjusted inseason
consistent with 50 CFR 300.63.
Table 1--Fishing Period Limits by Size Class for the 2024 First and Second Fishing Periods of the Area 2A
Pacific Halibut Non-Tribal Directed Commercial Fishery
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishing period limit in
Vessel class Length range in feet (meters) pounds (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A........................................... 1-25 (0.3-7.8)...................... 1,800 (0.8164)
B........................................... 26-30 (7.9-9.3)..................... 1,800 (0.8164)
C........................................... 31-35 (9.4-10.9).................... 1,800 (0.8164)
D........................................... 36-40 (11.0-12.4)................... 3,000 (1.361)
E........................................... 41-45 (12.5-13.9)................... 3,000 (1.361)
F........................................... 46-50 (14.0-15.4)................... 3,800 (1.724)
G........................................... 51-55 (15.5-16.9)................... 3,800 (1.724)
H........................................... 56+ (17.0+)......................... 4,500 (2.041)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Fishing period limits are in dressed weight (head-on, with ice and slime).
Comments and Responses
NMFS published a proposed rule on March 13, 2024 (89 FR 18368) and
accepted public comments on the 2024 Area 2A Pacific halibut directed
commercial fishery annual management measures through April 12, 2024.
NMFS received one public comment.
Comment 1: NMFS received a comment from a member of the public
expressing the opinion that retention of a Pacific halibut weighing
over 150 pounds should not be allowed.
Response: Size limits were not within the scope of this action.
However, NMFS has determined that this action is based on the best
scientific information available. For 2024, the IPHC adopted a minimum
size limit for commercial fisheries in its annual management
[[Page 40419]]
measures (89 FR 19275, March 9, 2024). In addition, the IPHC previously
examined maximum size limits \1\ and is conducting ongoing research
activities examining factors that influence Pacific halibut biomass.
Consistent with its statutory and other obligations, NMFS will continue
to keep abreast of the IPHC's ongoing research and ensure that its
regulatory actions, including its approval of annual Pacific halibut
management measures, are based on the best scientific information
available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Stewart, I., A. Hicks, and B. Hutniczak. 2020. Evaluation of
directed commercial fishery size limits in 2020. IPHC-2021-AM097-09.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
Regulations governing the U.S. fisheries for Pacific halibut are
developed by the IPHC, the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the
North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the Secretary of
Commerce. Section 5 of the Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act, 16 U.S.C.
773c) allows the Regional Council having authority for a particular
geographical area to develop regulations governing the allocation and
catch of Pacific halibut in U.S. Convention waters as long as those
regulations do not conflict with IPHC regulations.
This final rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866
because this action contains no implementing regulations.
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. 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.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k.
Dated: May 6, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-10185 Filed 5-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
