Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall and Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 4217-4218 [07-391]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 30, 2007 / Rules and Regulations ycherry on PROD1PC64 with RULES (2) * * * (i) Mackerel ABC must be calculated using the formula ABC = T - C, where C is the estimated catch of mackerel in Canadian waters for the upcoming fishing year and T is the catch associated with a fishing mortality rate that is equal to Ftarget at BMSY or greater and decreases linearly to zero at BMSY or below. Values for Ftarget and BMSY are as calculated in the most recent stock assessment. * * * * * (iii) IOY is composed of RQ, DAH, and TALFF. RQ will be based on requests for research quota as described in paragraph (g) of this section. DAH, DAP, and JVP will be set after deduction for RQ, if applicable, and must be projected by reviewing data from sources specified in paragraph (b) of this section and other relevant data, including past domestic landings, projected amounts of mackerel necessary for domestic processing and for joint ventures during the fishing year, projected recreational landings, and other data pertinent for such a projection. The JVP component of DAH is the portion of DAH that domestic processors either cannot or will not use. In addition, IOY is based on the criteria set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, specifically section 201(e), and on the following economic factors: * * * * * (c) Recommended measures. Based on the review of the data described in paragraph (b) of this section and requests for research quota as described in paragraph (g) of this section, the Monitoring Committee will recommend to the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish Committee the measures from the following list that it determines are necessary to ensure that the specifications are not exceeded: * * * * * (3) The amount of Loligo, Illex, and butterfish that may be retained, possessed and landed by vessels issued the incidental catch permit specified in § 648.4(a)(5)(ii). * * * * * (f) * * * (1) A commercial quota will be allocated annually for Loligo squid into trimester periods, based on the following percentages: be applied to Trimester III of the same year, and any overages of commercial quota for Trimesters I and II will be subtracted from Trimester III of the same year. * * * * * (g) * * * (2) * * * (ii) The NEFSC Director and the NOAA Grants Office will consider each panel member’s recommendation, provide final approval of the projects and the Regional Administrator may, when appropriate, exempt selected vessel(s) from regulations specified in each of the respective FMPs through written notification to the project proponent. * * * * * (5) If a proposal is disapproved by the NEFSC Director or the NOAA Grants Office, or if the Regional Administrator determines that the allocated research quota cannot be utilized by a project, the Regional Administrator shall reallocate the unallocated or unused amount of research quota to the respective commercial and recreational fisheries by publication of a notice in the Federal Register in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, provided: * * * * * I 4. In § 648.22, paragraphs (a) and (c) are revised and paragraph (d) is added to read as follows: § 648.22 Closure of the fishery. (a) Closing Procedures. (1) NMFS shall close the directed mackerel fishery in the EEZ when the Regional Administrator projects that 80 percent of the mackerel DAH is landed, if such a closure is necessary to prevent the DAH from being executed. The closure shall remain in effect for the remainder of the fishing year, with incidental catches allowed as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, until the entire DAH is attained. When the Regional Administrator projects that the DAH will be landed for mackerel, NMFS will close the mackerel fishery in the EEZ, and the incidental catches specified for mackerel in paragraph (c) of this section will be prohibited. (2) NMFS shall close the directed fishery in the EEZ for Loligo when the Regional Administrator projects that 90 percent of the quota is harvested in Trimester Percent Trimesters I and II, and when 95 percent I. January-April 43.0 of DAH has been harvested in Trimester II. May-August 17.0 III. The closure of the directed fishery III. September-October 40.0 shall be in effect for the remainder of the fishing period, with incidental (2) Any underages of commercial catches allowed as specified in period quota for Trimester I and II will paragraph (c) of this section. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:02 Jan 29, 2007 Jkt 211001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 4217 (3) NMFS shall close the directed Illex or butterfish fishery in the EEZ when the Regional Administrator projects that 95 percent of the Illex or butterfish DAH is landed. The closure of the directed fishery will be in effect for the remainder of the fishing year, with incidental catches allowed as specified in paragraph (c) of this section. * * * * * (c) Incidental catches. During a closure of the directed mackerel fishery, the possession limit for mackerel is 10 percent, by weight, of the total amount of fish on board. For vessels that have been issued a Loligo or butterfish incidental catch permit (as specified at § 648.4(a)(5)(ii)) or during a closure of the directed fishery for Loligo or butterfish, the possession limit for Loligo and butterfish is 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) each. For vessels that have been issued an Illex incidental catch permit (specified at § 648.4(a)(5)(ii)) or during a closure of the directed fishery for Illex, the possession limit for Illex is 10,000 lb (4.54 mt). Vessels may not land more than these limits and may only land once during any single calendar day, which is defined as the 24 hr period beginning at 0001 hours and ending at 2400 hours. [FR Doc. E7–1445 Filed 1–29–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 060216045–6045–01; I.D. 012507A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall and Using Pot 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 prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) and longer using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2007 Pacific cod allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher vessels using pot gear in the BSAI. E:\FR\FM\30JAR1.SGM 30JAR1 4218 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 30, 2007 / Rules and Regulations Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 26, 2007, though 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 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 A season allowance of the 2007 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels using pot gear in the BSAI is 6,050 metric tons as established by the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 13777, March 17, 2006). See § 679.20(c)(3)(iii), (c)(5), (a)(7)(i)(A), and (a)(7)(i)(C)(1)(iv). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the A ycherry on PROD1PC64 with RULES DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:02 Jan 29, 2007 Jkt 211001 season allowance of the 2007 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels using pot gear in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA and longer using pot gear in the BSAI. Vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot gear in the BSAI may continue to participate in the directed fishery for Pacific cod under a separate Pacific cod allocation to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA and longer using pot 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 January 24, 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 § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 25, 2007. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–391 Filed 1–25–07; 2:20 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\30JAR1.SGM 30JAR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 30, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4217-4218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-391]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 012507A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall and Using Pot 
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.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) and 
longer using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season 
allowance of the 2007 Pacific cod allowable catch (TAC) specified for 
catcher vessels using pot gear in the BSAI.

[[Page 4218]]


DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 26, 
2007, though 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 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 A season allowance of the 2007 Pacific cod TAC allocated to 
catcher vessels using pot gear in the BSAI is 6,050 metric tons as 
established by the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 13777, March 17, 2006). See Sec.  
679.20(c)(3)(iii), (c)(5), (a)(7)(i)(A), and (a)(7)(i)(C)(1)(iv).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the A season allowance of the 
2007 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels using pot gear in the 
BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA and 
longer using pot gear in the BSAI. Vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) 
LOA using pot gear in the BSAI may continue to participate in the 
directed fishery for Pacific cod under a separate Pacific cod 
allocation to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using 
hook-and-line or pot gear.
    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 Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 
m) LOA and longer using pot 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 January 24, 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 25, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-391 Filed 1-25-07; 2:20 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.