88 FR 135 pgs. 45371-45372 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Longnose Skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Type: RULEVolume: 88Number: 135Pages: 45371 - 45372
Pages: 45371, 45372Docket number: [Docket No. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD057]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2023-15060 Filed 7-12-23; 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. 230224-0053; RTID 0648-XD057]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Longnose Skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Temporary rule; closure.
SUMMARY:
[top] NMFS is prohibiting retention of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because
DATES:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 12, 2023, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Obren Davis, 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 2023 total allowable catch (TAC) of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is 517 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2023 and 2024 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (88 FR 13238, March 2, 2023).
In accordance with §?679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2023 TAC of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with §?679.21(a)(2).
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 prohibiting the retention of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notification providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 11, 2023.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (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.
Authority:
16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 12, 2023.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-15060 Filed 7-12-23; 4:15 pm]
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