[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 50 (Friday, March 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14603-14604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-05134]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 200227-0066; RTID 0648-XY087]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear 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; closure.
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[[Page 14604]]
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the A-season limit of the Pacific cod total
allowable catch specified for AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 10,
2020, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., April 1, 2020.
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
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. 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 2020 A-season Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to
AFA trawl catcher/processors is 2,397 metric tons (mt) as established
by the final 2020 and 2021 harvest specifications for groundfish in the
BSAI (85 FR 13553, March 9, 2020).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the A-season
Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to the AFA trawl catcher/
processors in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 200 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 2,197 mt as incidental catch to
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this
directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by AFA trawl catcher/
processors in the BSAI.
After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable
amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA (AA), finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior
notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is 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 delay the closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by AFA
trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of March 9, 2020.
The AA 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.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 10, 2020.
Karyl K. Brewster-Geisz,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-05134 Filed 3-10-20; 4:15 pm]
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