Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska, 13119-13120 [05-5345]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 52 / Friday, March 18, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
Dated: March 14, 2005.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
13119
6. In § 660.394, revise paragraph
A.l.t., March 10, 2005. This adjustment
(m)(149) through (164) to read as follows: is necessary to allow the fishing
industry opportunity to harvest pollock
§ 660.394 Latitude/longitude coordinates
without exceeding the B season
defining the 180–fm (329–m) through 250–
allowance of the 2005 total allowable
fm (457–m) depth contours.
catch (TAC) of pollock specified for
I Accordingly, 50 CFR part 660 is
*
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*
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
corrected by making the following
(m) * * *
correcting amendments:
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March
(149) 38°46.81′ N. lat., 123°51.49′ W.
10, 2005, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., March
long.;
PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST
10, 2005. Comments must be received at
(150) 38°45.28′ N. lat., 123°51.55′ W.
COAST STATES AND IN THE
the following address no later than 4:30
long.;
WESTERN PACIFIC
p.m., A.l.t., March 29, 2005.
(151) 38°42.76′ N. lat., 123°49.73′ W.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue
long.;
I 1. The authority citation for part 660
Salveson, Assistant Regional
(152) 38°41.53′ N. lat., 123°47.80′ W.
continues to read as follows:
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
long.;
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
(153) 38°41.41′ N. lat., 123°46.74′ W.
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn:
I 2. In § 660.302, in the definition for
long.;
Lori Durall. Comments may be
‘‘North-South management area,’’ the
(154) 38°38.01′ N. lat., 123°45.74′ W.
submitted by:
second paragraph (1)(i) and paragraphs
• Mail to: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
long.;
(1)(ii) through (iv) are correctly
(155) 38°37.19′ N. lat., 123°43.98′ W.
99802;
redesignated as paragraphs (1)(ii)
• Hand delivery to the Federal
long.;
through (v) and republished to read as
(156) 38°35.26′ N. lat., 123°41.99′ W.
Building, 709 West 9th Street, Room
follows:
long.;
420A, Juneau, Alaska;
(157) 38°33.38′ N. lat., 123°41.76′ W.
• FAX to 907–586–7557;
§ 660.302 Definitions.
• E-mail to G63plk2s12@noaa.gov and
long.;
*
*
*
*
*
include in the subject line of the e-mail
(158) 38°19.95′ N. lat., 123°32.90′ W.
North-South management area * * *
comment the document identifier:
long.;
(1) * * *
(159) 38°14.38′ N. lat., 123°25.51′ W.
g63plk2s12 (E-mail comments, with or
(ii) Columbia. (A) The northern limit
long.;
without attachments, are limited to 5
is 47°30′ N. lat.
(160) 38°09.39′ N. lat., 123°24.39′ W.
megabytes); or
(B) The southern limit is 43°00′ N. lat.
long.;
• Webform at the Federal eRulemaking
(iii) Eureka. (A) The northern limit is
(161) 38°10.09′ N. lat., 123°27.21′ W.
Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the
43°00′ N. lat.
instructions at that site for submitting
(B) The southern limit is 40°30′ N. lat. long.;
(162) 38°03.76′ N. lat., 123°31.90′ W.
comments.
(iv) Monterey. (A) The northern limit
long.;
is 40°30′ N. lat.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
(163) 38°02.06′ N. lat., 123°31.26′ W.
(B) The southern limit is 36°00′ N. lat.
Keaton, 907–586–7228.
(v) Conception. (A) The northern limit long.; and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
(164) 38°00.00′ N. lat., 123°29.56′ W.
is 36°00′ N. lat.
manages the groundfish fishery in the
long.
(B) The southern limit is the U.S.GOA exclusive economic zone
Mexico International Boundary, which
*
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*
according to the Fishery Management
is a line connecting the following
[FR Doc. 05–5350 Filed 3–17–05; 8:45 am]
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of
coordinates in the order listed:
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North
Pacific Fishery Management Council
Point
N. Lat.
W. Long.
under authority of the MagnusonDEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Stevens Fishery Conservation and
1
32°35.37′
117°27.82′
2
32°37.62′
117°49.52′
Management Act. Regulations governing
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
3
31°07.97′
118°36.30′
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance
Administration
4
30°32.52′
121°51.97′
with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
50 CFR Part 679
*
*
*
*
*
The B season allowance of the 2005
[Docket No. 041126333–5040–02; I.D.
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630
§ 660.373 [Corrected]
030805C]
of the GOA is 2,021 metric tons (mt) as
I 3. In § 660.373, amend paragraph (b)(4)
established by the 2005 and 2006
so that the words ‘‘managmenet’’ and
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
harvest specifications for groundfish of
‘‘fishey’’ are correctly spelled as
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical
the GOA (70 FR 8958, February 24,
‘‘management and ‘‘fishery,’’
Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska
2005). In accordance with
respectively.
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B) the Administrator,
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
§ 660.384 [Corrected]
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Administrator), hereby decreases the B
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
I 4. In § 660.384, amend paragraph (c)(3)
season pollock TAC by 283 mt, the
so that the references to ‘‘Hexogrammos’’ Commerce.
or ‘‘Hexogrammas’’ in the introductory
ACTION: Inseason adjustment; request for amount the A season allowance of the
pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 was
text and in (c)(3)(i)(B) are correctly
comments.
exceeded. The revised B season
spelled as ‘‘Hexagrammos.’’
SUMMARY: NMFS issues an inseason
allowance of the pollock TAC in
§ 660.393 [Corrected]
adjustment opening directed fishing for
Statistical Area 630 is therefore 1,738 mt
I 5. In § 660.393, redesignate paragraphs
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
(2,021 mt minus 283 mt).
(i) and (j) as (j) and (k), respectively, and Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 12 hours
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
redesignate the second occurrence of
effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time
the Regional Administrator, has
paragraph (h) as paragragh (i).
(A.l.t.), March 10, 2005, until 2400 hrs,
determined that the B season allowance
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16:00 Mar 17, 2005
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13120
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 52 / Friday, March 18, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
of the 2005 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 1,538 mt, and is
setting aside the remaining 200 mt as
bycatch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries.
Regulations at § 679.23(b) specify that
the time of all openings and closures of
fishing seasons other than the beginning
and end of the calendar fishing year is
1200 hrs, A.l.t. Current information
shows the catching capacity of vessels
catching pollock for processing by the
inshore component in Statistical Area
630 of the GOA is about 4,000 mt per
day. The Regioanl Administrator has
determined that the B season allowance
of the 2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 630 would be exceeded if a 24hour fishery were allowed to occur.
NMFS intends that the seasonal
allowance not be exceeded and,
therefore, will not allow a 24-hour
directed fishery. NMFS, in accordance
with §§ 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(A), and
(a)(2)(i)(C), is adjusting the directed
fishery for pollock in Statistical Area
630 of the GOA by opening the fishery
at 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2005, and
closing the fishery at 2400 hrs, A.l.t.,
March 10, 2005, at which time directed
fishing for pollock will be prohibited.
This action has the effect of opening the
fishery for 12 hours.
NMFS is taking this action to allow a
controlled fishery to occur, thereby
preventing the overharvest of the B
season allowance of the 2005 TAC of
pollock in Statistical Area 630
designated in accordance with the 2005
and 2006 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (70 FR 8958,
February 24, 2005) and
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iii). In accordance with
§ 679.25(a)(2)(iii)(C), NMFS has
determined that prohibiting directed
fishing at 2400 hrs, A.l.t., March 10,
2005, after a 12 hour opening is the least
restrictive management adjustment to
achieve the B season allowance of the
2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area
630 of the GOA. Pursuant to
§ 679.25(b)(2), NMFS has considered
data regarding catch per unit of effort
and rate of harvest in making this
adjustment.
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
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14:42 Mar 17, 2005
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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
prevent the full utilization of the B
season allowance of the 2005 TAC of
pollock in Statistical Area 630 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.
Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the B season
allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA 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 March 29, 2005.
This action is required by §§ 679.20
and 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 11, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–5345 Filed 3–14–05; 4:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 041126332–5039–02; I.D.
031505B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole by
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in Bycatch
Limitation Zone 1 of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed
fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels
using trawl gear in Bycatch Limitation
Zone 1 (Zone 1) of the Bering Sea and
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Frm 00032
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the 2005 bycatch
allowance of red king crab specified for
the trawl yellowfin sole fishery in Zone
1.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), March 16, 2005, until 2400
hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Furuness, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
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. 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
§ 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(B)(1), the 2005 red
king crab bycatch allowance specified
for Zone 1 of the BSAI trawl yellowfin
sole fishery is 33,843 animals as
established by the 2005 and 2006 final
harvest specifications for groundfish of
the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24,
2005).
In accordance with § 679.21(e)(7)(ii),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, has determined that the 2005
bycatch allowance of red king crab
specified for the trawl yellowfin sole
fishery in Zone 1 of the BSAI has been
reached. Consequently, the Regional
Administrator is closing directed fishing
for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl
gear in Zone 1 of 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 a 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 trawl yellowfin
sole fishery in Zone 1 of the BSAI.
E:\FR\FM\18MRR1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 52 (Friday, March 18, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13119-13120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5345]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 041126333-5040-02; I.D. 030805C]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason adjustment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS issues an inseason adjustment opening directed fishing
for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 12
hours effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 10, 2005,
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2005. This adjustment is necessary to
allow the fishing industry opportunity to harvest pollock without
exceeding the B season allowance of the 2005 total allowable catch
(TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2005, until 2400 hrs,
A.l.t., March 10, 2005. Comments must be received at the following
address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., March 29, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS,
Attn: Lori Durall. Comments may be submitted by:
Mail to: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802;
Hand delivery to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th
Street, Room 420A, Juneau, Alaska;
FAX to 907-586-7557;
E-mail to G63plk2s12@noaa.gov and include in the subject
line of the e-mail comment the document identifier: g63plk2s12 (E-mail
comments, with or without attachments, are limited to 5 megabytes); or
Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at that site for
submitting comments.
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 B season allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 630 of the GOA is 2,021 metric tons (mt) as established by the
2005 and 2006 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (70 FR
8958, February 24, 2005). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)
the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby
decreases the B season pollock TAC by 283 mt, the amount the A season
allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 was exceeded. The
revised B season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630
is therefore 1,738 mt (2,021 mt minus 283 mt).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator, has determined that the B season allowance
[[Page 13120]]
of the 2005 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 1,538 mt, and is setting aside the
remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries.
Regulations at Sec. 679.23(b) specify that the time of all
openings and closures of fishing seasons other than the beginning and
end of the calendar fishing year is 1200 hrs, A.l.t. Current
information shows the catching capacity of vessels catching pollock for
processing by the inshore component in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA
is about 4,000 mt per day. The Regioanl Administrator has determined
that the B season allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 630 would be exceeded if a 24-hour fishery were allowed to occur.
NMFS intends that the seasonal allowance not be exceeded and,
therefore, will not allow a 24-hour directed fishery. NMFS, in
accordance with Sec. Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(A), and
(a)(2)(i)(C), is adjusting the directed fishery for pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA by opening the fishery at 1200 hrs,
A.l.t., March 10, 2005, and closing the fishery at 2400 hrs, A.l.t.,
March 10, 2005, at which time directed fishing for pollock will be
prohibited. This action has the effect of opening the fishery for 12
hours.
NMFS is taking this action to allow a controlled fishery to occur,
thereby preventing the overharvest of the B season allowance of the
2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 designated in accordance
with the 2005 and 2006 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA
(70 FR 8958, February 24, 2005) and Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii). In
accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(iii)(C), NMFS has determined that
prohibiting directed fishing at 2400 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2005, after
a 12 hour opening is the least restrictive management adjustment to
achieve the B season allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. Pursuant to Sec. 679.25(b)(2), NMFS
has considered data regarding catch per unit of effort and rate of
harvest in making this adjustment.
After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable
amounts at Sec. 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 prevent the full utilization of the B season allowance of the
2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the B season
allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA
to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the
regulatory schedule. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address
until March 29, 2005.
This action is required by Sec. Sec. 679.20 and 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 11, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5345 Filed 3-14-05; 4:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
