[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 189 (Monday, September 30, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 79454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22378]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 240227-0061]
RTID 0648-XE228


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Pollock 
Fishing by Vessels Using Trawl 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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2024 Chinook 
salmon prohibited species catch limit established for vessels using 
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective September 25, 2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2024.

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 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 part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2024 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for 
vessels directed fishing for pollock using trawl gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA is 18,316 Chinook salmon (Sec.  
679.21(h)(2)(ii)).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(h)(8)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the 2024 Chinook salmon PSC limit 
established for vessels directed fishing for pollock using trawl gear 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, 
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels using trawl 
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

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 closing directed fishing for 
pollock by vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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 September 25, 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. 2024-22378 Filed 9-25-24; 4:15 pm]
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