[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23244]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 220216-0049; RTID 0648-XC376]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 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 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2022 total allowable catch of 
pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 21, 
2022, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2022.

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 (Magnuson-Stevens 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 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Statistical Area 
620 of the GOA is 69,250 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 
2022 and 2023 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (87 FR 
11599, March 2, 2022).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the 2022 TAC of pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the 
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 
69,150 mt and is setting aside the remaining 100 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 620 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 620 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 October 20, 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: October 20, 2022.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-23244 Filed 10-21-22; 4:15 pm]
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