[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60383-60384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18978]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD283]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 50 Feet Length Overall 
Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 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 retention of Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length 
overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area 
of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2023 
total allowable catch of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels 
greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 
2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.

[[Page 60384]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-581-7241.

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 2023 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to 
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length 
overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 738 
metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS has determined that the 2023 Pacific cod TAC apportioned 
to catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length 
overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that Pacific cod caught by 
catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 m) length 
overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be 
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec.  679.21(a).

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 the retention of 
Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet (15.2 
m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 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 August 25, 2023.
    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: August 29, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-18978 Filed 8-31-23; 8:45 am]
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