Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska, 55305-55306 [05-18751]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 182 / Wednesday, September 21, 2005 / Rules and Regulations Dated: September 15, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–18854 Filed 9–20–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 041126333–5040–02; I.D. 091505A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 24 hours. This action is necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 630. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 15, 2005, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 16, 2005. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 30, 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 G63plk2s12b@noaa.gov and include in the subject line of the email comment the document identifier: g63plkro3 (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. NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:27 Sep 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 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. NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on August 27, 2005 (70 FR 51300, August 30, 2005). NMFS opened directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA for 48 hrs on September 8, 2005 (70 FR 53971, September 13, 2005). NMFS has determined that approximately 3,052 mt of pollock remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the C season allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical area 630, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will be reached after 24 hours. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 16, 2005. 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 opening of pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish an action providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 12, 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. PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 55305 Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the D 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 September 30, 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: September 15, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–18750 Filed 9–15–05; 3:16 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. 091505B] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 96 hours. This action is necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 620. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 15, 2005, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 19, 2005. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 30, 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 G63plk2s12b@noaa.gov and include in the subject line of the e- E:\FR\FM\21SER1.SGM 21SER1 55306 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 182 / Wednesday, September 21, 2005 / Rules and Regulations mail comment the document identifier: g62plkro3 (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. 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. NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on August 29, 2005 (70 FR 51300, August 30, 2005). NMFS opened directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA for 96 hrs on September 8, 2005 (70 FR 53971, September 13, 2005). NMFS has determined that approximately 2,740 mt of pollock remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the C season allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical area 620, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will be reached after 96 hours. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 19, 2005. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 opening of pollock in VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:27 Sep 20, 2005 Jkt 205001 Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish an action providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 12, 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. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the D 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 September 30, 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: September 15, 2005. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 05–18751 Filed 9–15–05; 3:16 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. 091605F] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; rescinding the prohibition of retention. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is rescinding the prohibition on retention of yellowfin sole in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2005 total allowable catch of yellowfin sole in the BSAI and to allow vessels to retain yellowfin sole and reduce discards. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 17, 2005, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2005. PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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. The 2005 TAC of yellowfin sole in the BSAI was established as 83,883 metric tons by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005) and the apportionment of the nonspecified reserve to the yellowfin sole TAC on July 28, 2005 (70 FR 43644, July 28, 2005) and September 16, 2005 (70 FR 54656, September 16, 2005). NMFS prohibited retention of yellowfin sole BSAI under § 679.20(d)(2) on August 24, 2005 (70 FR 50995, August 29, 2005). NMFS has determined that approximately 240 mt of yellowfin sole remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore to fully utilize the 2005 TAC of yellowfin sole in the BSAI, NMFS is rescinding the prohibition on retention and is allowing that catches of yellowfin sole in this area be retained according to the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f). 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 immediately implementing this action in order to allow the retention of yellowfin sole by vessels fishing in the BSAI. Approximately 36 hook-and-line catcher/processors will be fishing in the BSAI into December. Approximately 240 metric tons of yellowfin sole TAC remains. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to prohibit retention of yellowfin sole. Allowing for prior notice and opportunity for public comment would prevent the fisheries from realizing the economic benefits of this action. In addition, this rule is not E:\FR\FM\21SER1.SGM 21SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55305-55306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18751]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126333-5040-02; I.D. 091505B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical 
Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 96 hours. This action is 
necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2005 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 620.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 15, 
2005, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 19, 2005. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
September 30, 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 G63plk2s12b@noaa.gov and include in the subject 
line of the e-

[[Page 55306]]

mail comment the document identifier: g62plkro3 (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.
    NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 
620 of the GOA under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on August 29, 2005 (70 FR 
51300, August 30, 2005). NMFS opened directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the GOA for 96 hrs on September 8, 2005 (70 FR 
53971, September 13, 2005).
    NMFS has determined that approximately 2,740 mt of pollock remain 
in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with 
679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize 
the C season allowance of the 2005 TAC of pollock in Statistical area 
620, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed 
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. In accordance 
with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that 
this directed fishing allowance will be reached after 96 hours. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 
19, 2005.

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 opening of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. 
NMFS was unable to publish an action providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
September 12, 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.
    Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the D 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 September 30, 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: September 15, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-18751 Filed 9-15-05; 3:16 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.