[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 4, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19772]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0036, RTID 0648-XF245]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands Management Area
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 Atka mackerel in the
Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in the
CAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access
sector fishery.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 31,
2025, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) for Groundfish of the BSAI prepared and recommended 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 2025 TAC of Atka mackerel, in the CAI, allocated to vessels
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery was
established as a directed fishing allowance of 2,173 metric tons by the
final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI
(90 FR 12640, March 18, 2025).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been or
will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
Atka mackerel in the CAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access sector fishery to prevent exceeding this sector's
allocation of Atka mackerel in the CAI. 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) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 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 the Atka
mackerel directed fishing in the CAI for vessels participating in the
BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data on Atka mackerel harvest in the CAI by vessels
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector only became
available as of October 28, 2025.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day
delay in the effective date of this action. 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 30, 2025.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-19772 Filed 10-31-25; 4:15 pm]
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