[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01070]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 210210-0018]
RTID 0648-XB726
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 610 in 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 in
Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2022 total
allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 610 in the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20, 2022
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., May 31, 2022.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.
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 A season allowance of the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of
pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 1,132 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2021 and 2022 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the GOA (86 FR 10184, February 19, 2021) and inseason
adjustment (86 FR 74384, December 30, 2021).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i) and Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator has determined that the
A season allowance of the 2022 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 610
of the GOA is necessary to account for the incidental catch in other
anticipated fisheries. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside
the remaining 1,132 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries. 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
pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.
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 closure of pollock in
Statistical Area 610 in 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 January 13, 2022.
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: January 14, 2022.
Ngagne Jafnar Gueye,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-01070 Filed 1-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P