Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processor Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 9880-9881 [05-3933]

Download as PDF 9880 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 39 / Tuesday, March 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. Based on the Councils’ recommended total allowable catch and the allocation ratios in the FMP, on April 30, 2001 (66 FR 17368, March 30, 2001), NMFS implemented a commercial quota of 2.25 million lb (1.02 million kg) for the eastern zone (Florida) of the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel. That quota is further divided into separate quotas for the Florida east coast subzone and the northern and southern Florida west coast subzones. On April 27, 2000, NMFS implemented the final rule (65 FR 16336, March 28, 2000) that divided the Florida west coast subzone of the eastern zone into northern and southern subzones and established their separate quotas. The quota implemented for the southern Florida west coast subzone is 1,040,625 lb (472,020 kg). That quota is further divided into two equal quotas of 520,312 lb (236,010 kg) for vessels in each of two groups fishing with hookand-line gear and run-around gillnets (50 CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(2)(i)). In accordance with 50 CFR 622.44(a)(2)(ii)(B)(2), from the date that 75 percent of the southern Florida west coast subzone’s quota has been harvested until a closure of the subzone’s fishery has been effected or the fishing year ends, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may be possessed on board or landed from a permitted vessel in amounts not exceeding 500 lb (227 kg) per day. NMFS has determined that 75 percent of the quota for Gulf group king mackerel for vessels using hook-andline gear in the southern Florida west coast subzone was reached on February 24, 2005. Accordingly, a 500–lb (227– kg) trip limit applies to vessels in the commercial hook-and-line fishery for king mackerel in or from the EEZ in the southern Florida west coast subzone effective 12:01 a.m., local time, February 25, 2005. The 500–lb (227–kg) trip limit will remain in effect until the fishery closes or until the end of the current fishing year (June 30, 2005), whichever occurs first. The Florida west coast subzone is that part of the eastern zone south and west of 25°20.4′ N. lat. (a line directly east from the Miami-Dade County, FL, boundary). The Florida west coast subzone is further divided into northern and southern subzones. The southern subzone is that part of the Florida west coast subzone that from November 1 through March 31, extends south and west from 25°20.4′ N. lat. to 26°19.8′ N. lat.(a line directly west from the Lee/ Collier County, FL, boundary), i.e., the VerDate jul<14>2003 14:21 Feb 28, 2005 Jkt 205001 area off Collier and Monroe Counties. From April 1 through October 31, the southern subzone is the part of the Florida west coast subzone that is between 26°19.8′ N. lat. and 25°48′ N. lat. (a line directly west from the Monroe/Collier County, FL, boundary), i.e., the area off Collier County. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Classification Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processor Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 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 prior notice and opportunity for public comment is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such procedures would be unnecessary because the rule itself has already been subject to notice and comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the trip limit reduction. Allowing prior notice and opportunity for public comment is contrary to the public interest because of the need to immediately implement this action in order to protect the fishery because the capacity of the fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the quota. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment will require time and would potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the established quota. For the aforementioned reasons, the AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This action is taken under 50 CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 23, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–3941 Filed 2–24–05; 2:33 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 041126332–5039–02; I.D. 022305E] National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/ processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 A season allowance of the Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher/ processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. DATES: Effective February 24, 2005, through 12 noon, Alaska local time, June 10, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907–586–7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI 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 2005 A season directed fishing allowance of Pacific cod specified for catcher/processor vessels using hookand-line gear in the BSAI is established as 46,407 metric tons by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005). See § 679.20(c)(1)(iii), § 679.20(c)(5), and § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A) and (a)(7)(i)(C)(1)(i). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2005 A season directed fishing allowance of Pacific cod specified for catcher/ processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached. E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 39 / Tuesday, March 1, 2005 / Rules and Regulations Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processor vessels using hookand-line gear in the BSAI. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 the fisheries under the 2005 A season directed fishing allowance of Pacific cod specified for catcher/processor vessels using hookand-line gear in the BSAI. 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 23, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–3933 Filed 2–24–05; 2:33 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 041126333–5040–02; I.D. 022305D] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Prohibiting Directed Fishing for Specified Groundfish Fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. AGENCY: VerDate jul<14>2003 14:21 Feb 28, 2005 Jkt 205001 SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by specified sectors in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 A season allowances of the Pacific code total allowable catch (TAC) specified for Pacific cod in the GOA. DATES: Effective February 24, 2005, through 12 noon, Alaska local time, September 1, 2005. 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 MagnusonStevens 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. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that if the amount of a target species apportioned to a fishery or, with respect to Pacific cod, to an inshore or offshore component allocation, will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing allowance for that species or species group. As established by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (70 FR 8958, February 24, 2005), the 2005 A season allowance of the Pacific cod TAC for vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 8,471 metric tons (mt); for processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 941 mt; and for processing by the offshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,505 mt. See § 679.20(c)(1)(iii), § 679.20(c)(4)(ii), and § 679.20(a)(11). In accordance with 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator has determined that the A season directed fishing allowances for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA, Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA, and Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 9881 have been reached and the remaining amounts of the A season TAC allowances are necessary as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries until the next seasonal apportionments of Pacific cod become available September 1, 2005. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these fisheries. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 closures of the directed fisheries for Pacific cod for specified sectors in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA. 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 23, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–3934 Filed 2–24–05; 2:33 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [I.D. 022305B] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish Managed Under the Individual Fishing Quota Program National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\01MRR1.SGM 01MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9880-9881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3933]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126332-5039-02; I.D. 022305E]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher/Processor Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Management Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary 
to prevent exceeding the 2005 A season allowance of the Pacific cod 
total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher/
processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective February 24, 2005, through 12 noon, Alaska local time, 
June 10, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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 2005 A season directed fishing allowance of Pacific cod 
specified for catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the 
BSAI is established as 46,407 metric tons by the 2005 and 2006 final 
harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 
24, 2005). See Sec.  679.20(c)(1)(iii), Sec.  679.20(c)(5), and Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(i)(A) and (a)(7)(i)(C)(1)(i).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2005 A season directed 
fishing allowance of Pacific cod specified for catcher/processor 
vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached.

[[Page 9881]]

Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear 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 the fisheries under the 2005 A season 
directed fishing allowance of Pacific cod specified for catcher/
processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
    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: February 23, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-3933 Filed 2-24-05; 2:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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