Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 79454-79455 [2024-22376]

Download as PDF 79454 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations Comments and Responses DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The public comment period for the original emergency rule ended on June 21, 2024, and NMFS did not receive any comments from the public. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Classification [Docket No. 240227–0061] The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has determined that this rule is necessary to respond to an emergency situation and is consistent with the national standards and other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds good cause under the authority contained in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) that it is contrary to the public interest and impracticable to provide prior notice and opportunity for the public to comment. As more fully explained above, the reasons justifying promulgation of this action on an emergency basis, coupled with the fact that the public has had the opportunity to comment on NMFS’ emergency action that this is extending, make solicitation of public comment unnecessary, impractical, and contrary to the public interest. In the interest of receiving public input on this action, the EA analyzing the impacts of this action was made available to the public and the original emergency action solicited public comment. This action is being taken pursuant to the emergency provision of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is exempt from review by the Office of Management and Budget. The analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are inapplicable to this emergency rule extension because notice and opportunity for comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required, and none has been prepared. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 Dated: September 20, 2024. Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–22373 Filed 9–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Sep 27, 2024 50 CFR Part 679 Jkt 262001 RTID 0648–XE228 Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Pollock Fishing by Vessels Using Trawl 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: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch limit established for vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective September 25, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 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 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 2024 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for vessels directed fishing for pollock using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 18,316 Chinook salmon (§ 679.21(h)(2)(ii)). In accordance with § 679.21(h)(8)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the 2024 Chinook salmon PSC limit established for vessels directed fishing for pollock using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 closing directed fishing for pollock by vessels using trawl 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 September 25, 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: September 25, 2024. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–22378 Filed 9–25–24; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 240304–0068; RTID 0648– XE312] 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 catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-andline or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30SER1.SGM 30SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 189 / Monday, September 30, 2024 / Rules and Regulations ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with RULES1 the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested. DATES: September 27, 2024, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zaleski, 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 parts 600 and 679. The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 5,884 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) and reallocations (89 FR 24736, April 9, 2024 and 89 FR 67327, August 20, 2024). The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for trawl catcher vessels in the BSAI is 29,754 mt as established by the final VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:22 Sep 27, 2024 Jkt 262001 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) and reallocation (89 FR 67327, August 20, 2024). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 1,000 mt of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS reallocates 1,000 mt from trawl catcher vessels 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 the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) and reallocations (89 FR 24736, April 9, 2024 and 89 FR 67327, August 20, 2024) are revised as follows: 6,884 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookand-line or pot gear, and 28,754 mt to trawl catcher vessels. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 79455 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 September 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. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 25, 2024. Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–22376 Filed 9–27–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\30SER1.SGM 30SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79454-79455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22376]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XE312]


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels less than 
60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear 
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This 
action is necessary to allow

[[Page 79455]]

the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES:  September 27, 2024, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time 
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zaleski, 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 parts 600 and 
679.
    The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels less than 60 feet 
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 5,884 
metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) 
and reallocations (89 FR 24736, April 9, 2024 and 89 FR 67327, August 
20, 2024).
    The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for trawl catcher vessels in the 
BSAI is 29,754 mt as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) 
and reallocation (89 FR 67327, August 20, 2024).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 
1,000 mt of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under 
Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9).
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS 
reallocates 1,000 mt from trawl catcher vessels 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 the 
final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) and reallocations (89 FR 24736, April 9, 
2024 and 89 FR 67327, August 20, 2024) are revised as follows: 6,884 mt 
to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line 
or pot gear, and 28,754 mt to trawl catcher vessels.

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 September 
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.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 25, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-22376 Filed 9-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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