[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 14 (Monday, January 25, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6860-6861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-01434]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 200221-0062; RTID 0648-XA805]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Western 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 closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher
vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the A season
allowance of the 2021 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20,
2021, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2021. Comments must be
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t.,
February 3, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2019-0102 by
any of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2019-0102, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region
NMFS, Attn: Records. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
Instructions: NMFS may not consider comments if they are sent by
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public
record, and NMFS will post the comments for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
[[Page 6861]]
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Milani, 907-581-2062.
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. 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 A season allowance of the 2021 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA is 1,701 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2020 and 2021
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (85 FR 13802, March
10, 2020) and inseason adjustment (85 FR 83834, December 23, 2020).
NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod TAC apportioned to
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 20, 2021 (85 FR 13802,
March 10, 2020).
As of January 20, 2021, NMFS has determined that approximately
1,701 metric tons (mt) remain of the Pacific cod TAC apportioned to
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 utilize the A season allowance of the
2021 TAC of Pacific apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is reopening directed fishing for Pacific cod
apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA, effective 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20,
2021.
The Administrator, Alaska Region (Regional Administrator)
considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) The
catch of Pacific cod apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in
the Western 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 and would delay the opening of Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western 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 14, 2021.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 15, 2021.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-01434 Filed 1-19-21; 4:15 pm]
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