Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska, 14824-14825 [06-2882]

Download as PDF 14824 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 060317076–6076–01; I.D. 032006E] RIN 0648–AU41 Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries; Fishery Closure National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the shallowset pelagic longline fishery north of the equator for all vessels registered under the Hawaii longline limited access program. This action is necessary to comply with regulations that govern the pelagic fisheries of the western Pacific region that establish maximum annual limits on the numbers of interactions that occur between longline fishing gear and sea turtles. The 2006 annual limit on physical interactions between longline fishing and sea turtles has been reached, so the fishery must be closed for the remainder of the calendar year. DATES: Effective 7:09 a.m. (0709 hrs) Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on March 20, 2006, through 11:59 p.m. (2359 hrs) HST on December 31, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Harman, NMFS, 808–944–2271. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the pelagic longline fishery for swordfish, tunas and related species in the western Pacific region, according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Pelagic Species of the Western Pacific Region, prepared by the Western 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 660. The regulations at § 660.33(b)(1) governing western Pacific pelagic fisheries establish maximum annual limits on the numbers of physical interactions that occur between longline fishing gear and sea turtles. These limits apply to physical interactions experienced by vessels registered under Hawaii longline limited-access permits while engaged in shallow-set longline fishing, i.e., fishing that is directed at swordfish. There are two calendar-year annual limits on physical interactions, VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:17 Mar 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 one for leatherback sea turtles set at 16, and one for loggerhead sea turtles set at 17. Interactions with turtles are monitored using data from scientific observers placed by NMFS aboard all vessels engaged in shallow-set longline fishing. NMFS is required to maintain 100 percent observer coverage in the Hawaii shallow-set longline fishery. The regulations at § 660.33(b)(2) prescribe that, as soon as the interaction limit for either of the two turtle species has been determined to have been reached in a given year, the shallow-set component of the Hawaii-based longline fishery must be closed for the remainder of the calendar year, after giving permit holders and operators actual notice of the closure. Upon receiving actual notice from NMFS, fishermen are required to remove all longline fishing gear from the water and immediately terminate their fishing trip. Once the shallow-set component of the fishery is closed, it is prohibited for any vessel registered under a Hawaii longline limited-access permit to engage in shallow-set longline fishing north of the equator. In accordance with § 660.33(b)(2), the Regional Administrator, Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2006 interaction limit of 17 loggerhead turtles has been reached. Consequently, NMFS closed the shallow-set component of the Hawaii-based longline fishery at 7:09 a.m. (0709) HST on March 20, 2006. This closure ends at 11:59 pm (2359 hrs) HST on December 31, 2006. Classification This action responds to the best available information 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. Given the ability of the fishery to suddenly reach and exceed the low limit on turtle takes, it is impracticable for NMFS to delay implementing the closure. There is insufficient time between when the observer data are collected as to the number of turtle interactions in the fishery and the time the fishery closure must be implemented. If not implemented quickly, the number of allowable interactions will likely be exceeded, thereby imposing harm to the public interest in protecting these turtle species. For the same reasons, the AA also finds good cause to waive the 30– PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 day delay in the effective date of this action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This action is required by § 660.33(b)(2) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 20, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–2883 Filed 3–21–06; 2:00 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 060216044–6044–01; I.D. 032106B] 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; closure. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 21, 2006, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2006. 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 50 CFR part 679. The B season allowance of the 2006 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is 13,394 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2006 and 2007 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (71 FR 10870, March 3, 2006). In accordance with § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby increases the B season pollock E:\FR\FM\24MRR1.SGM 24MRR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 57 / Friday, March 24, 2006 / Rules and Regulations allowance by 1,818 mt, the remaining amount of the A season allowance for pollock in Statistical Area 620. Therefore, the revised B season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is therefore 15,212 mt (13,394 mt plus 1,818 mt). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the B season allowance of the 2006 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 15,200 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 12 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES 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 pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of March 20, 2006. 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. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:17 Mar 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 Dated: March 21, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–2882 Filed 3–21–06; 2:00 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 060216044–6044–01; I.D. 032006A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation. AGENCY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot or hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). These actions are necessary to allow the 2006 A season total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested. SUMMARY: Effective March 21, 2006, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2006. 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 2006 A season allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 1,393 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) and the adjustment of the Pacific cod TACs in the BSAI on March 14, 2006 (71 FR 13777, March 17, 2006), for the period DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 14825 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 1, 2006, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 30, 2006. See § 679.20(c)(3)(iii), § 679.20(c)(5), and § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 1,300 mt of the A season apportionment of Pacific cod allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A) and § 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A)(3). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(C)(1), NMFS apportions 1,300 mt of Pacific cod from the A season jig gear apportionment to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear. The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) are revised as follows: 93 mt to the A season apportionment for vessels using jig gear and 2,536 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hookand-line gear. 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 reallocation of Pacific cod specified for jig vessels to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear. Since the fishery is currently open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery; allow the industry to plan for the fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of March 14, 2006. 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. E:\FR\FM\24MRR1.SGM 24MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14824-14825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2882]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216044-6044-01; I.D. 032106B]


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; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the 2006 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 21, 2006, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2006.

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 2006 TAC of pollock in Statistical 
Area 620 of the GOA is 13,394 metric tons (mt) as established by the 
2006 and 2007 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (71 FR 
10870, March 3, 2006). In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby 
increases the B season pollock

[[Page 14825]]

allowance by 1,818 mt, the remaining amount of the A season allowance 
for pollock in Statistical Area 620. Therefore, the revised B season 
allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is therefore 
15,212 mt (13,394 mt plus 1,818 mt).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the B season allowance of the 2006 
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 15,200 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 12 
mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator 
finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
amounts at 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 pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. 
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
March 20, 2006.
    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: March 21, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-2882 Filed 3-21-06; 2:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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