2024-22378. 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

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Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

1. 50 CFR Part 679
2. [Docket No. 240227-0061]
3. RTID 0648-XE228

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Temporary rule; closure.

SUMMARY:

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 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 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.

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.