[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 31, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06560]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 210210-0018; RTID 0648-XA913]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fishery by Non-Rockfish Program Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the 
Western and 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish, other 
than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear 
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 Chinook 
salmon prohibited species catch limit established for non-Rockfish 
Program catcher vessels using trawl gear and directed fishing for 
groundfish, other than pollock, in the Western and Central Regulatory 
Areas of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 26, 
2021, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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. 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 2021 Chinook salmon prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing for groundfish, 
other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 3,060 Chinook salmon (Sec.  
679.21(h)(4)(i)(C)).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(h)(8)(ii), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the 2021 Chinook salmon PSC limit 
established for non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels directed fishing 
for groundfish, other than pollock, using trawl gear in the Western and 
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS 
is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish (except for pollock) by 
non-Rockfish Program catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 
and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA.
    While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at 
50 CFR 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 is prohibiting directed 
fishing for groundfish, other than pollock, by non-Rockfish Program 
catcher vessels using trawl gear 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 March 25, 2021.

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

    Dated: March 25, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-06560 Filed 3-26-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P