85 FR 38 pgs. 10994-10995 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
Type: RULEVolume: 85Number: 38Pages: 10994 - 10995
Pages: 10994, 10995Docket number: [Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2020-03873 Filed 2-21-20; 4:15 pm]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 180831813-9170-02]
RTID 0648-XY071
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Temporary rule; closure.
SUMMARY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2020 total allowable catch of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
DATES:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 23, 2020, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 10, 2020.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh Keaton, 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. 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 2020 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 5,783 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2019 and 2020 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (84 FR 9416, March 14, 2019) and inseason adjustment (84 FR 70436, December 23, 2019).
In accordance with §?679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2020 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 300 mt and is setting aside the remaining 5,483 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with §?679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at §?679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
Classification
[top] 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
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 §?679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority:
16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 21, 2020.
Karyl K. Brewster-Geisz,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-03873 Filed 2-21-20; 4:15 pm]
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