[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 189 (Monday, October 2, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21556]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 230306-0065; RTID 0648-XD425]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of 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; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from trawl catcher vessels to catcher vessels less than 60 feet 
(18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear and to 
Amendment 80 trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 
2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES: Effective September 26, 2023, through 2400 hours, Alaska local 
time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2023.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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 part 600 and 50 
CFR part 679.
    The 2023 Pacific cod TAC specified for trawl catcher vessels in the 
BSAI is 26,307 mt as established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 
2023), correction (88 FR 18258, March 28, 2023) and reallocation (88 FR 
56778, August 21, 2023).
    The 2023 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 4,740 
mt as established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 14926, March 10, 2023), correction (88 FR 
18258, March 28, 2023), and reallocations (88 FR 18443, March 29, 2023; 
88 FR 56778, August 21, 2023).
    The 2023 Pacific cod TAC allocated to Amendment 80 trawl catcher/
processors in the BSAI is 16,254 mt as established by the final 2023 
and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 
14926, March 10, 2023), and correction (88 FR 18258, March 28, 2023).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
has determined that trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 
1,000 mt of the 2023 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels under 
Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9).
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS 
reallocates 300 mt from trawl catcher vessels to the annual amount 
specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using 
hook-and-line or pot gear, and in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B), NMFS reallocates 700 mt from trawl catcher 
vessels to the annual amount specified for Amendment 80 trawl catcher/
processors.
    The harvest specifications for 2023 Pacific cod included in final 
2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (88 FR 
14926, March 10, 2023), correction (88 FR 18258, March 28, 2023), and 
reallocations (88 FR 18443, March 29, 2023; 88 FR 56778, August 21, 
2023) is revised as follows: 25,307 mt to trawl catcher vessels, 5,040 
mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-
line or pot gear, and 16,954 mt to Amendment 80 trawl catcher/
processors.

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. 
This requirement is 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 allow for harvests that exceed the 
originally specified apportionment of the Pacific cod TAC. NMFS was 
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because 
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 
26, 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: September 26, 2023.
Jennifer M. Wallace,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-21556 Filed 9-26-23; 4:15 pm]
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