[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 14 (Monday, January 25, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6860-6861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-01434]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 200221-0062; RTID 0648-XA805]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season 
allowance of the 2021 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20, 
2021, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2021. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
February 3, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2019-0102 by 
any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0102, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    <bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Records. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
    Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by 
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after 
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public 
record, and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, 
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter

[[Page 6861]]

``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.

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. 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 A season allowance of the 2021 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA is 1,701 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2020 and 2021 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (85 FR 13802, March 
10, 2020) and inseason adjustment (85 FR 83834, December 23, 2020).
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod TAC apportioned to 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 20, 2021 (85 FR 13802, 
March 10, 2020).
    As of January 20, 2021, NMFS has determined that approximately 
1,701 metric tons (mt) remain of the Pacific cod TAC apportioned to 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), 
and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the A season allowance of the 
2021 TAC of Pacific apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the 
previous closure and is reopening directed fishing for Pacific cod 
apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA, effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20, 
2021.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator) 
considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The 
catch of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA and, (2) the harvest capacity 
and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels in 
participating in this fishery.

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 Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 January 14, 2021.

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

    Dated: January 15, 2021.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-01434 Filed 1-19-21; 4:15 pm]
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