Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 25508-25509 [06-4083]

Download as PDF 25508 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2006 / Rules and Regulations status or publication schedules. Please cite FAC 2005–09; Corrections. Corrections In the final rule document appearing in the issue of April 19, 2006: 1. On page 20308, third column, first paragraph under ‘‘Background,’’ revise the second sentence to read ‘‘No comments were submitted and the rule is being converted to a final rule without change from the proposed rule.’’ 52.213–1 [Corrected] 2a. On page 20309, first column, at 52.213–1 revise the date of the clause to read ‘‘(MAY 2006)’’; I 2b. In the second column, in paragraph (e) revise the paragraph heading to read ‘‘FAST PAY container identification.’’ I Dated: April 25, 2006. Laurieann Duarte, Supervisor, Regulatory Secretariat. [FR Doc. 06–4068 Filed 4–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–EP–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 060216045–6045–01; I.D. 042606A] Classification Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using pot or hook-andline gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2006, through 2400 hrs, 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 exclusive economic zone VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:56 Apr 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 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. NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hookand-line gear in the BSAI under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on April 7, 2006 (71 FR 18684, April 12, 2006). NMFS has determined that as of May 1, 2006, approximately 254 metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2006 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with §§ 679.25(a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2006 TAC of Pacific cod specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-andline gear in the BSAI. The opening is effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., May 1, 2006, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2006. 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 the Pacific cod fishery by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hookand-line gear in the BSAI. 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 April 14, 2006. PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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: April 26, 2006. James P. Burgess, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–4082 Filed 4–26–06; 3:44 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 060216045–6045–01; I.D. 042606B] 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: SUMMARY: 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 B season total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested. Effective May 1, 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 DATES: E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 2006 / Rules and Regulations cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2006 B season allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified for vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 696 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 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 30, 2006, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 31, 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 400 mt of the B 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 400 mt of Pacific cod from the B 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:56 Apr 28, 2006 Jkt 208001 specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) are revised as follows: 296 mt to the B season apportionment for vessels using jig gear and 2,936 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-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 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 25509 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 April 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. This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 26, 2006. James P. Burgess, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06–4083 Filed 4–26–06; 3:44 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\01MYR1.SGM 01MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25508-25509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4083]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 042606B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: 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 B season total allowable catch 
(TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES: Effective May 1, 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

[[Page 25509]]

appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2006 B season allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified for 
vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 696 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 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 30, 2006, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 31, 2006. See Sec.  679.20(c)(3)(iii), 
Sec.  679.20(c)(5), and Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(i)(A).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that jig 
vessels will not be able to harvest 400 mt of the B season 
apportionment of Pacific cod allocated to those vessels under Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(i)(A) and Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A)(3). Therefore, in 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(C)(1), NMFS apportions 400 mt of 
Pacific cod from the B 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: 296 mt to the B season apportionment for 
vessels using jig gear and 2,936 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-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 April 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.
    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: April 26, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4083 Filed 4-26-06; 3:44 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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