[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 220 (Thursday, November 16, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 78678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25318]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 230224-0053]
RTID 0648-XD210


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of 
Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other'' rockfish in the 
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This 
action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2023 total allowable catch 
of ``other'' rockfish in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of 
the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 13, 
2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Obren Davis, 907-586-7241.

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 parts 600 and 679.
    The 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 940 metric tons (mt) 
as established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2023 
``other rockfish'' TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of 
the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that ``other 
rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA be 
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec.  679.21(a), 
except ``other rockfish'' species in the Western and Central Regulatory 
Areas of the GOA caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or 
jig gear as described in Sec.  679.20(j).

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 prohibiting retention of 
``other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas 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 November 9, 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: November 13, 2023.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-25318 Filed 11-13-23; 4:15 pm]
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