Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska, 2793-2794 [07-265]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 23, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
FOR COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC FISH (KING (AA) finds good cause to waive the
MACKEREL, SPANISH MACKEREL, CERO, COBIA,requirement to provide prior notice and
LITTLE TUNNY, AND, IN THE GULF OF MEXICO opportunity for public comment
ONLY, DOLPHIN AND BLUEFISH) IS MANAGED
pursuant to the authority set forth in 5
UNDER THE FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR U.S.C. 553(b)(B), as such prior notice
THE COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC RESOURCES
and opportunity for public comment is
OF THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTH
unnecessary and contrary to the public
ATLANTIC (FMP). THE FMP WAS PREPARED
interest. Such procedures are
BY THE GULF OF MEXICO AND SOUTH
unnecessary because the rule itself
ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCILS
already has been subject to notice and
(COUNCILS) AND IS IMPLEMENTED UNDER
comment, and all that remains is to
THE AUTHORITY OF THE MAGNUSON-STEVENS notify the public of the trip limit
FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
increase. Allowing prior notice and
ACT (MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT) BY
opportunity for public comment for this
REGULATIONS AT 50 CFR PART 622.
trip limit increase is contrary to the
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Based on the Councils’ recommended
total allowable catch and the allocation
ratios in the FMP, on April 30, 2001 (66
FR 17368, March 30, 2001) NMFS
implemented a commercial quota of
2.25 million lb (1.02 million kg) for the
eastern zone (Florida) of the Gulf
migratory group of king mackerel. That
quota is further divided into separate
quotas for the Florida east coast subzone
and the northern and southern Florida
west coast subzones. The quota
implemented for the Florida east coast
subzone is 1,040,625 lb (472,020 kg) (50
CFR 622.42(c)(1)(i)(A)(1)).
In accordance with 50 CFR
622.44(a)(2)(i), beginning on February 1,
if less than 75 percent of the Florida east
coast subzone quota has been harvested
by that date, king mackerel in or from
that subzone may be possessed on board
or landed from a permitted vessel in
amounts not exceeding 75 fish per day.
The 75–fish daily trip limit will
continue until a closure of the subzone’s
fishery has been effected or the fishing
year ends on March 31, 2007.
NMFS has determined that 75 percent
of the quota for Gulf group king
mackerel for vessels using hook-andline gear in the Florida east coast
subzone will not be reached before
February 1, 2007. Accordingly, a 75–fish
trip limit applies to vessels in the
commercial hook-and-line fishery for
king mackerel in or from the EEZ in the
Florida east coast subzone effective
12:01 a.m., local time, February 1, 2007.
The 75–fish trip limit will remain in
effect until the fishery closes or until the
end of the current fishing season (March
31, 2007) for this subzone. From
November 1 through March 31, the
Florida east coast subzone of the Gulf
group king mackerel is that part of the
eastern zone north of 25°20.4′ N. lat. (a
line directly east from the Miami-Dade
County, FL, boundary).
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:14 Jan 22, 2007
Jkt 211001
public interest because it requires time,
thus delaying fishermen’s ability to
catch more king mackerel than the
present trip limit allows and preventing
fishermen from reaping the
socioeconomic benefits derived from
this increase in daily catch.
As this action allows fishermen to
increase their harvest of king mackerel
from 50 fish to 75 fish per day in or
from the EEZ of the Florida east coast
subzone, the AA finds it relieves a
restriction and may go into effect on its
effective date pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(1). This action is taken under 50
CFR 622.43(a) and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 18, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–945 Filed 1–22–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
2793
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), January 22, 2007, through
1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2007.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Hogan, 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.
The A season allowance of the 2007
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630
in the GOA is 3,234 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(d)(1)(i),
the Regional Administrator has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2007 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 630 in the GOA will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 2,934 mt, and is
setting aside the remaining 300 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 630 in 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Classification
[Docket No. 060216044–6044–01; I.D.
011707G]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical
Area 630 in 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
630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the A season allowance of the 2007 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for
Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
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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 630 in the GOA. NMFS
was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment
E:\FR\FM\23JAR1.SGM
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2794
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 14 / Tuesday, January 23, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
because the most recent, relevant data
only became available as of January 17,
2007.
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
19:14 Jan 22, 2007
Jkt 211001
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.
Dated: January 18, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07–265 Filed 1–18–07; 2:04 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
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Fmt 4700
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 23, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2793-2794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-265]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 060216044-6044-01; I.D. 011707G]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2007 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 630 in the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 22,
2007, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 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 A season allowance of the 2007 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 630 in the GOA is 3,234 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(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2007
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 2,934 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 300
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 630 in 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 630 in the GOA.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
[[Page 2794]]
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
January 17, 2007.
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: January 18, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-265 Filed 1-18-07; 2:04 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
