[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52485-52486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18457]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220223-0054; RTID 0648-XC266]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
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; modification of a closure; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using 
hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2022 
total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 
2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
September 12, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
docket number NOAA-NMFS-2022-0076, by any of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2022-0076 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Mail: Submit written comments to Josh Keaton, Acting Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.

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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. 
vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR parts 
600 and 679.
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 
less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI under 
Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 26, 2022 (87 FR 4818, January 31, 
2022).
    NMFS has determined that as of August 22, 2022, approximately 1,500 
metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2022 Pacific cod apportionment 
for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot 
gear in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), 
(a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2022 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating 
the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear 
in the BSAI. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional 
Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this 
decision: (1) the current catch of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI and, (2) 
the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of 
vessels in participating in this fishery.

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR

[[Page 52486]]

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 opening of directed 
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using 
hook-and-line or pot gear in 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 August 22, 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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery 
for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-
and-line or pot gear in the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner 
and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec.  
679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
on this action to the above address until September 12, 2022.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 23, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-18457 Filed 8-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P