[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8081-8082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02307]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD708]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl 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; modification of a closure; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher 
vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season 
allowance of the 2024 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod 
apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 5, 
2024, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 2024. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
February 21, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
docket number NOAA-NMFS-2022-0094, 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-2022-0094 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Mail: Submit written comments to Gretchen Harrington, 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 
https://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: Abby Jahn, 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 parts 600 and 679.
    NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA on January 
20, 2024. NMFS has determined that as of January 29, 2024, 
approximately 3,867 metric tons of Pacific cod remain of the A season 
allowance of the 2024 Pacific cod apportionment for catcher vessels 
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Therefore, 
in accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and 
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the A season allowance of the of the 
2024 TAC of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the 
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the 
GOA. 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 using trawl gear in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA; 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 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,

[[Page 8082]]

and would delay the opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels using trawl 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 January 31, 2024.
    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 catcher vessels using trawl gear in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA 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 February 21, 2024.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: January 31, 2024.
Everett Wayne Baxter,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-02307 Filed 2-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P