[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01692]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 230306-0065; RTID 0648-XD669]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using 
Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area

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 directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall 
(LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the 2024 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or 
pot gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 25, 
2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zaleski, 907-586-7228.

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 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 3,867 
metric tons as established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 
2023), inseason adjustment (88 FR 88836, December 26, 2023) and 
reallocation (89 FR 2176, January 12, 2024).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 
2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or 
pot gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
    While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at 
Sec.  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 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or 
pot gear 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 23, 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: January 23, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-01692 Filed 1-25-24; 8:45 am]
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