[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 213 (Thursday, November 6, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50483]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19799]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 213 / Thursday, November 6, 2025 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 50483]]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0036, RTID 0648-XF316]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the Eastern 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 Pacific ocean perch
in the Eastern Aleutian district (EAI) 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 Pacific ocean
perch in the EAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access sector fishery.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 4,
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 Pacific ocean perch, in the EAI, allocated to
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery
was established as a directed fishing allowance of 551 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 has determined that the 2025 Pacific ocean perch TAC
allocated to vessels in the BSAI trawl limited access sector in the EAI
has been or will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the EAI by vessels participating in
the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery to prevent exceeding this
sector's allocation of Pacific ocean perch in the EAI.
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 on Pacific ocean perch catch in a timely fashion and would delay
the closure of the Pacific ocean perch directed fishing in the EAI 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 Pacific ocean perch catch in
the EAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access
sector fishery only became available as of November 1, 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: November 4, 2025.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-19799 Filed 11-4-25; 4:15 pm]
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