[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 29, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23746-23747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09120]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 200227-0066; RTID 0648-XY093]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Greenland 
Turbot in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of 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 Greenland turbot in 
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the 2020 Greenland turbot initial total allowable catch (ITAC) in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2020, 
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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. 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 2020 Greenland turbot ITAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of 
the BSAI is 149 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2020 and 
2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (85 FR 13553, 
March 9, 2020). The Regional Administrator has determined that the 2020 
ITAC for Greenland turbot in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI 
is necessary to account for the incidental catch of this species in 
other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2020 fishing year. 
Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator establishes the directed fishing allowance for Greenland 
turbot in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI as zero mt. 
Consequently, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for Greenland turbot in the Aleutian 
Islands subarea of 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

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set 
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is 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 delay the directed fishing closure of Greenland turbot in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. Since the fishery opens May 1, 
2020, it is important to immediately inform the industry to allow for 
the orderly conduct and efficient operation of other fisheries 
currently operating in this area; allow the industry to plan for the 
fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet. 
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
April 15, 2020.

[[Page 23747]]

    The AA 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.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 24, 2020.
H[eacute]l[egrave]ne M.N. Scalliet,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-09120 Filed 4-28-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P