74066 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 208 / Monday, October 30, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

(viii) We prohibit hunting on 

Sundays. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(iii) We prohibit hunting on Sundays. 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v) and 

(c)(2)(iii) of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 15. Effective September 1, 2026, 

further amend § 32.65 by: 

■ a. Adding paragraph (b)(1)(vi); 

■ b. Revising paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and 

(b)(3)(i); 

■ c. Adding paragraphs (b)(4)(vi) and 

(n)(1)(vi); and 

■ d. Revising paragraphs (n)(2)(i) and 

(n)(3)(i). 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.65 Virginia. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(vi) You may only use or possess 

approved non-lead shot shells and 

ammunition while in the field (see 

§ 32.2(k)). 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (vi) of this 

section apply. All occupants of a vehicle 

or hunt party must possess a signed 

refuge hunt brochure and be actively 

engaged in hunting unless aiding a 

disabled person who possesses a valid 

State disabled hunting license. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(vi) and (b)(2)(i), (ii), 

and (v) through (viii) of this section 

apply. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(vi) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (b)(1)(vi) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(n) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(vi) You may only use or possess 

approved non-lead shot shells, 

ammunition, and tackle while in the 

field (see § 32.2(k)). 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth in 

paragraphs (n)(1)(i), (iii), and (vi) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (n)(1)(i), (ii), and (vi) and 

(n)(2)(iv) of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 16. Amend § 32.66 by revising 

paragraph (b)(4)(i) to read as follows: 

§ 32.66 Washington. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(4) * * * 

(i) On waters open to fishing, we 

allow fishing only from the start of the 

State season to September 30, except 

that we allow fishing year-round on 

Falcon, Heron, Goldeneye, Corral, 

Blythe, Chukar, and Scaup Lakes. 

* * * * * 

Shannon Estenoz, 

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and 

Parks. 

[FR Doc. 2023–23847 Filed 10–27–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 622 

[Docket No. 120404257–3325–02; RTID 

0648–XD427] 

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of 

Mexico, and South Atlantic; 2023 

Commercial Hook-and-Line Closure for 

Golden Tilefish in the South Atlantic 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. 

SUMMARY: NMFS implements an 

accountability measure for the 

commercial hook-and-line component 

of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic 

exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS 

projects that commercial landings of 

golden tilefish harvested by hook-andline are projected to reach the 

commercial component quota in the 

2023 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS 

closes the commercial hook-and-line 

component for golden tilefish in the 

South Atlantic EEZ for the remainder of 

the 2023 fishing year to protect the 

golden tilefish resource. 

DATES: This temporary rule is effective 

from 12:01 a.m. eastern time on October 

31, 2023, through December 31, 2023. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Mary Vara, NMFS Southeast Regional 

Office, telephone: 727–824–5305, email: 

mary.vara@noaa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

snapper-grouper fishery of the South 

Atlantic includes golden tilefish and is 

managed under the Fishery 

Management Plan for the SnapperGrouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 

Region (FMP). The South Atlantic 

Fishery Management Council and 

NMFS prepared the FMP, and the FMP 

is implemented by NMFS under the 

authority of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by 

regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All 

weights in this temporary rule are given 

in gutted weight. 

The commercial sector for golden 

tilefish has two components, each with 

its own quota: The hook-and-line and 

longline components (50 CFR 

622.190(a)(2)). The commercial annual 

catch limit (ACL) for golden tilefish is 

allocated 25 percent to the hook-andline component and 75 percent to the 

longline component. The total 

commercial ACL (equivalent to the total 

commercial quota) for golden tilefish is 

331,740 lb (150,475 kg). The commercial 

ACL (equivalent to the commercial 

quota) for the hook-and-line component 

is 82,935 lb (37,619 kg). 

Under 50 CFR 622.193(a)(1)(i), NMFS 

is required to close the commercial 

hook-and-line component for golden 

tilefish when its commercial ACL has 

been reached, or is projected to be 

reached, through a notification filed 

with the Office of the Federal Register. 

NMFS projects that commercial 

landings of South Atlantic golden 

tilefish by the hook-and-line component 

will reach the ACL by October 31, 2023. 

Accordingly, the commercial hook-andline component of South Atlantic 

golden tilefish is closed on October 31, 

2023. 

For the current fishing year, NMFS 

has also closed the commercial longline 

component on April 7, 2023, and the 

recreational sector on July 17, 2023, for 

golden tilefish through 2023 (88 FR 

20079, April 5, 2023; 88 FR 45369, July 

17, 2023). Therefore, because the 

commercial longline component and 

recreational sector are already closed, 

and NMFS is closing the commercial 

hook-and-line component through this 

temporary rule, all harvest and 

possession of South Atlantic golden 

tilefish in or from the EEZ is prohibited 

from the effective date of this temporary 

rule through the end of 2023. 

The operator of a vessel issued a valid 

Federal commercial vessel permit for 

South Atlantic snapper-grouper with 

golden tilefish on board harvested by 

hook-and-line must have landed and 

bartered, traded, or sold such golden 

tilefish prior to 12:01 a.m. eastern time 

on October 31, 2023. During the closure, 

the sale or purchase of golden tilefish 

harvested from the EEZ is prohibited. 

The prohibition on sale or purchase 

does not apply to the sale or purchase 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 208 / Monday, October 30, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 74067 

of golden tilefish that were harvested by 

hook-and-line, landed ashore, and sold 

before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on 

October 31, 2023, and were held in cold 

storage by a dealer or processor. For a 

person on board a vessel for which a 

Federal commercial or charter vessel/ 

headboat permit for the South Atlantic 

snapper-grouper fishery has been 

issued, the recreational bag and 

possession limits and the sale and 

purchase prohibitions during the 

commercial closure for golden tilefish 

apply regardless of whether the fish are 

harvested in state or Federal waters, as 

specified in 50 CFR 622.190(c)(1)(ii). 

Classification 

NMFS issues this action pursuant to 

section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 

622.193(a)(1), which was issued 

pursuant to section 304(b) of the 

Magnuson-Stevens Act, 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 are 

unnecessary and contrary to the public 

interest. Such procedures are 

unnecessary because the regulations 

associated with the commercial closure 

of the golden tilefish hook-and-line 

component have already been subject to 

notice and public comment, and all that 

remains is to notify the public of the 

closure. Such procedures are also 

contrary to the public interest because 

of the need to immediately implement 

the closure to protect the golden tilefish 

resource and minimize the risk of 

exceeding the commercial ACL. Prior 

notice and opportunity for public 

comment would require time, which 

would allow for additional commercial 

landings, and could therefore result in 

exceedance of the sector ACL. 

For the reasons stated earlier, the 

Assistant Administrator also finds good 

cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 

effectiveness of this action under 5 

U.S.C. 553(d)(3). 

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

Dated: October 24, 2023. 

Jennifer M. Wallace, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–23835 Filed 10–25–23; 4:15 pm] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 679 

[Docket No. 230224–0053; RTID 0648– 

XD297] 

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic 

Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by 

Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central 

Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 

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 vessels using 

pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area 

of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 

is necessary to prevent exceeding the 

2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of 

Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in 

the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska 

local time (A.l.t.), October, 26, 2023, 

through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 

2023. 

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 parts 600 

and 679. 

The 2023 Pacific cod TAC 

apportioned to vessels using pot gear in 

the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA 

is 3,062 metric tons (mt) as established 

by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest 

specifications for groundfish in the GOA 

(88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023). 

In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), 

the Regional Administrator has 

determined that the 2023 Pacific cod 

TAC apportioned to vessels using pot 

gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 

the GOA will soon be reached. 

Therefore, the Regional Administrator is 

establishing a directed fishing 

allowance of 3,052 mt and is setting 

aside the remaining 10 mt as bycatch 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 

vessels using pot gear in the Central 

Regulatory Area of the GOA. 

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 vessels using pot gear in the 

Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 

NMFS was unable to publish notice 

providing time for public comment 

because the most recent, relevant data 

only became available as of October 24, 

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. 

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

Dated: October 25, 2023. 

Jennifer M. Wallace, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–23882 Filed 10–25–23; 4:15 pm] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES