[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 227 (Tuesday, November 30, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67878-67879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26057]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 210217-0022; RTID 0648-XB113]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka 
Mackerel 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; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the 
Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian District (BS/EAI) of the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels 
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This 
action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2021 total allowable catch 
(TAC) of Atka mackerel in the BS/EAI allocated to vessels participating 
in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 24, 
2021, through 2400 hrs, 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 exclusive economic zone 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 TAC of Atka mackerel, in the BS/EAI, allocated to vessels 
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery was 
established as a directed fishing allowance of 2,209 metric tons by 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)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been 
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka 
mackerel in the BS/EAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited

[[Page 67879]]

access sector fishery. While this closure is effective, the maximum 
retainable amounts at Sec.  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 the directed fishing closure 
of Atka mackerel in the BS/EAI for vessels participating in the BSAI 
trawl limited access sector fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a 
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, 
relevant data only became available as of November 22, 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: November 24, 2021.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-26057 Filed 11-24-21; 4:15 pm]
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