Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 49197 [05-16706]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 162 / Tuesday, August 23, 2005 / Rules and Regulations * * * * * Dated: July 26, 2005. Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 05–16720 Filed 8–22–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Classification National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 041126332–5039–02; I.D. 081705G] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 18, 2005, through 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 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 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI is 886 metric tons as established by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005). In accordance with § 679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2005 VerDate jul<14>2003 16:13 Aug 22, 2005 Jkt 205001 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl 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. 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 directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in 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 August 17, 2005. 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. Dated: August 17, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–16706 Filed 8–18–05; 2:30 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. 081605D] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel Lottery in Areas 542 and 543 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 49197 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; notification of fishery assignments. SUMMARY: NMFS is notifying the owners and operators of registered vessels of their assignments for the B season Atka mackerel fishery in harvest limit area (HLA) 542 and/or 543 of the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the harvest of the B season Atka mackerel HLA limits established for area 542 and area 543. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 18, 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 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 § 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(A), owners and operators of vessels using trawl gear for directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA are required to register with NMFS. Ten vessels have registered with NMFS to fish in the B season HLA fisheries in areas 542 and/or 543. In order to reduce the amount of daily catch in the HLA by about half and to disperse the fishery over time and in accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has randomly assigned each vessel to the HLA directed fishery for Atka mackerel for which they have registered and is now notifying each vessel of its assignment. Vessels authorized to participate in the first HLA directed fishery in area 542 and/or in the second HLA directed fishery in area 543 in accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(iii) are as follows: Federal Fishery Permit number (FFP) 3835 Seafisher, FFP 3400 Alaska Ranger, FFP 1879 American No. 1, FFP 4093 Alaska Victory, and FFP 3819 Alaska Spirit. Vessels authorized to participate in the first HLA directed fishery in area 543 and/or the second HLA directed fishery in area 542 in accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(iii) are as follows: FFP 2134 Ocean Peace, FFP 2443 Alaska E:\FR\FM\23AUR1.SGM 23AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 23, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16706]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126332-5039-02; I.D. 081705G]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin 
Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2005 halibut 
bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery 
category in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 18, 2005, 
through 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 
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 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl 
yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI is 886 metric tons as 
established by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2005 halibut bycatch allowance 
specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI has 
been caught. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for 
yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in 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 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 directed fishing for yellowfin sole by 
vessels using trawl gear in 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 August 17, 2005.
    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: August 17, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-16706 Filed 8-18-05; 2:30 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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