Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Rockfish” in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, 43328 [05-14853]

Download as PDF 43328 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 27, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 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 delay the opening of the fishery, not allow the full utilization of the yellowfin sole TAC in the BSAI, and therefore reduce the public’s ability to use and enjoy the fishery resource. 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 § 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 22, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–14854 Filed 7–22–05; 3:27 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Classification National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 041126333–5040–02; I.D. 072205A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ‘‘Other Rockfish’’ in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; prohibition of retention. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that catch of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the ‘‘other rockfish’’ 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been reached. VerDate jul<14>2003 18:34 Jul 26, 2005 Jkt 205001 Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 22, 2005, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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 CFR part 679. The 2005 TAC of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 40 metric tons as established by the 2005 and 2006 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (70 FR 8958, February 24, 2005). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the ‘‘other rockfish’’ TAC in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with § 679.21(b). ‘‘Other rockfish’’ consists of all slope and demersal shelf rockfish. DATES: 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 prohibition of retention of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Western Regulatory Area 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. PO 00000 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Frm 00070 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Dated: July 22, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–14853 Filed 7–22–05; 3:27 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 050421110–5192–02; I.D. 041505F] RIN 0648–AT03 Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Individual Fishing Quota Program; Community Development Quota Program National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS issues a final rule to amend the Pacific halibut regulations for waters in and off Alaska. This action is necessary to modify the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program to allow quota share holders in International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Area (Area) 4C to fish their Area 4C IFQ or CDQ in Area 4D. This action is intended to enhance harvesting opportunities for halibut by IFQ and CDQ fishermen and is necessary to promote the objectives of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act) with respect to the IFQ and CDQ Pacific halibut fisheries, consistent with the regulations and resource management objectives of the IPHC and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council). DATES: Effective on July 22, 2005. ADDRESSES: Copies of the environmental assessment (EA), regulatory impact review (RIR), initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA), and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (FRFA) prepared for this action are available from NMFS, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668, Attn: Lori Gravel-Durall, or from NMFS, Alaska Region, 709 West 9th Street, Room 453, Juneau, AK 99801, or by calling the Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, at 907– 586–7228. E:\FR\FM\27JYR1.SGM 27JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14853]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126333-5040-02; I.D. 072205A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; prohibition of retention.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of ``other rockfish'' in this area be treated in the same 
manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of 
injury. This action is necessary because the ``other rockfish'' 2005 
total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 22, 2005, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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 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 CFR part 679.
    The 2005 TAC of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area 
of the GOA is 40 metric tons 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(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the ``other rockfish'' TAC in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
requiring that further catches of ``other rockfish'' in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec.  679.21(b).
    ``Other rockfish'' consists of all slope and demersal shelf 
rockfish.

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 prohibition of retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Western Regulatory Area 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 Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: July 22, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-14853 Filed 7-22-05; 3:27 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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