2023-00965. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area  

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    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 American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2023 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.

    DATES:

    Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20, 2023, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, 2023.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone 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. 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 annual apportionment of the 2023 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI is 2,790 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (87 FR 11626, March 2, 2022) and inseason adjustment (87 FR 80090, December 29, 2022).

    In accordance with §§ 679.20(d)(1)(i) and 679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the annual 2023 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI is necessary to account for the incidental catch in other anticipated fisheries. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 2,790 mt as incidental catch 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 AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.

    While this closure is effective, the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 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 AFA trawl catcher/processors in 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 January 12, 2023.

    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.

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

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    Dated: January 13, 2023.

    Jennifer M. Wallace,

    Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

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    [FR Doc. 2023-00965 Filed 1-18-23; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
1/20/2023
Published:
01/19/2023
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Temporary rule; closure.
Document Number:
2023-00965
Dates:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20, 2023, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., November 1, 2023.
Pages:
3318-3318 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 220223-0054, RTID 0648-XC687
PDF File:
2023-00965.pdf
Supporting Documents:
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Groundfish in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Pacific cod by Catcher Vessels Greater than or Equal to 60 feet Length Overall Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska: Pacific cod by Catcher/processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Groundfish in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Inseason Adjustment to the 2022 Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Pollock, Atka Mackerel, and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
» Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679