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, 13120-13121 [05-5422]

Download as PDF 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 VerDate jul<14>2003 14:42 Mar 17, 2005 Jkt 205001 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 PO 00000 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 18MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 52 / Friday, March 18, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 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 § 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate jul<14>2003 14:42 Mar 17, 2005 Jkt 205001 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 13121 Dated: March 15, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–5422 Filed 3–15–05; 4:02 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\18MRR1.SGM 18MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 52 (Friday, March 18, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13120-13121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5422]


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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

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

ACTION: Closure.

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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 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 Sec.  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 Sec.  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 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 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.

[[Page 13121]]

    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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 15, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5422 Filed 3-15-05; 4:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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