[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79454-79455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22376]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XE312]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels less than 
60 feet (18.3 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 allow

[[Page 79455]]

the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES:  September 27, 2024, through 2400 hours, Alaska local time 
(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 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 (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 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels less than 60 feet 
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 5,884 
metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) 
and reallocations (89 FR 24736, April 9, 2024 and 89 FR 67327, August 
20, 2024).
    The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for trawl catcher vessels in the 
BSAI is 29,754 mt as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) 
and reallocation (89 FR 67327, August 20, 2024).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 
1,000 mt of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under 
Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9).
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS 
reallocates 1,000 mt from trawl catcher vessels to the annual amount 
specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using 
hook-and-line or pot gear.
    The harvest specifications for 2024 Pacific cod included in the 
final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024) and reallocations (89 FR 24736, April 9, 
2024 and 89 FR 67327, August 20, 2024) are revised as follows: 6,884 mt 
to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line 
or pot gear, and 28,754 mt to trawl catcher vessels.

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. 
This requirement is 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 allow for harvests that exceed the 
originally specified apportionment of the Pacific cod TAC. NMFS was 
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because 
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 
24, 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.
[FR Doc. 2024-22376 Filed 9-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P