[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53883-53884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21137]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 210217-0022]
RTID 0648-XB452


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' 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 retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2021 
``other rockfish'' total allowable catch (TAC) in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea of the BSAI has been reached.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allyson Olds, 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 2021 ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Aleutian Islands subarea of 
the BSAI is 394 metric tons (mt) as established by

[[Page 53884]]

the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for groundfish in the 
BSAI (86 FR 11449, February 25, 2021). In accordance with Sec.  
679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator) has determined that the 2021 ``other rockfish'' TAC in 
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, 
NMFS is requiring that ``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea of the BSAI be treated in the same manner as a prohibited 
species, as described under Sec.  679.21(a), for the remainder of the 
year, except ``other rockfish'' species in the Aleutian Islands subarea 
caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as 
described in Sec.  679.20(j).

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 prohibiting retention of 
``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands subarea of 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 
September 23, 2021.
    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 24, 2021.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21137 Filed 9-24-21; 4:15 pm]
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