BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 240304-0068; RTID 0648-XE058]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the
Bering Sea Subarea 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; modification of a closure.
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch (POP) in the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI).
This action is necessary to fully use the 2024 total allowable catch of POP specified for
the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 12 p.m., Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 18, 2024, through 12 a.m.,
A.l.t., December 31, 2024. Comments must be received at the following address no later
than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., [INSERT DATE 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN
THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAANMFS-2023-0124, by any of the following methods:
Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA-NMFS-20230124 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and
enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Gretchen Harrington, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region NMFS. Mail comments to
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or
individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by
NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be
posted for public viewing on https://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal
identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or
otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly
accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter “NA” in the required fields if
you wish to remain anonymous).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (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 (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR parts 600 and 679.
NMFS closed directed fishing for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI
under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) (89 FR 17287, March 11, 2024).
NMFS has determined that approximately 4,500 metric tons of POP remain in the
directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C),
and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the 2024 total allowable catch of POP in the Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening
directed fishing for POP in Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI, effective 12 p.m., A.l.t., June

17, 2024, through 12 a.m., A.l.t., December 31, 2024. This will enhance the
socioeconomic well-being of harvesters dependent on POP in this area.
The Administrator, Alaska Region considered the following factors in reaching
this decision: (1) the current catch of POP in the BSAI; and, (2) the harvest capacity and
stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels 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 directed fishing for POP in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 June 14, 2024.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA 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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for POP in
the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner and in
accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until [INSERT
DATE 15 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: June 18, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2024-13786 Filed: 6/18/2024 4:15 pm; Publication Date: 6/24/2024]