Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 5644-5645 [07-537]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
5644
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 7, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1. FINAL SPECIFICATIONS, IN METRIC TONS (MT), FOR ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SQUID, AND BUTTERFISH FOR 2007
FISHING YEAR.
Specifications
Loligo
26,000
17,000
16,4901
16,490
16,490
0
0
Max OY
ABC
IOY
DAH
DAP
JVP
TALFF
1
2
3
Illex
Mackerel
24,000
24,000
24,000
24,000
24,000
0
0
Butterfish
N/A
186,000
115,0002
115,0003
100,000
0
0
12,175
4,545
1,681
1,681
1,681
0
0
Excludes 510 mt for Research Quota (RQ).
IOY may be increased during the year, but the total ABC will not exceed 186,000 mt.
Includes 15,000 mt of Atlantic mackerel recreational allocation.
2. On page 4213, Table 2, title heading
is corrected and the table text is
republished to read as follows:
TABLE 2. TRIMESTER ALLOCATION OF Loligo SQUID QUOTA IN 2007
Trimester
Percent
I (Jan–Apr)
II (May–Aug)
III (Sep–Dec)
Total
1
43.0
17.0
40.0
100
7,090.7
2,803.3
6,596.0
16,490
RQ
(mt)
NA
NA
NA
510
Trimester allocations after 510 mt RQ deduction.
Dated: February 01, 2007.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7–2042 Filed 2–6–07; 8:45 am]
Atka mackerel in these areas. NMFS is
also announcing the opening and
closing dates of the first and second
directed fisheries within the harvest
limit area (HLA) in Statistical Areas 542
and 543. These actions are necessary to
conduct directed fishing for Atka
mackerel in the HLA in areas 542 and
543.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The effective dates are provided
in Table 1 under the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this temporary
action.
DATES:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[Docket No. 060216045–6045–01; I.D.
020107F]
Jennifer Hogan, 907–586–7228.
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closures and
openings.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Atka mackerel with gears
other than jig gear in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This
action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 2007 total allowable catch (TAC) of
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:30 Feb 06, 2007
Jkt 211001
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 2007 TAC of Atka mackerel
specified for other gear in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea was established as 3,434 metric
tons (mt) by the 2006 and 2007 final
harvest specifications for groundfish in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
Metric Tons1
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006).
See § 679.20(a)(8)(ii) and (c)(3)(iii).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i)
and (d)(1)(ii)(B), the Acting
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that 800 mt of the 2007 Atka
mackerel TAC for other gear in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering
Sea subarea will be necessary as
incidental catch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 2,634 mt. 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 Atka mackerel by
vessels using other gear in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea.
In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(C), the Regional
Administrator is opening the first
directed fisheries for Atka mackerel
within the HLA in areas 542 and 543,
48 hours after the closure of the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea Atka mackerel directed fishery.
The Regional Administrator has
established the opening date for the
second HLA directed fisheries as 48
hours after the last closure of the first
HLA fisheries in either area 542 or 543.
Consequently, NMFS is opening and
E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM
07FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 25 / Wednesday, February 7, 2007 / Rules and Regulations
closing directed fishing for Atka
mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and
543 in accordance with the periods
listed under Table 1 of this notice.
TABLE 1. EFFECTIVE DATES AND TIMES
Effective Date1
Action
Area
From
To
Closing
Atka
Mackerel
with
gears
other than
jig gear
Eastern
Aleutian
District
and the
Bering
Sea subarea
1200
hrs,
February 3,
2007
1200
hrs,
September
1, 2007
Opening
the first
directed
fishery in
the HLA
542
1200
hrs,
February 5,
2007
1200
hrs,
February
19,
2007
543
1200
hrs,
February 5,
2007
1200
hrs,
February 6,
2007
542
1200
hrs,
February
21,
2007
1200
hrs,
March
7, 2007
543
1200
hrs,
February
21,
2007
1200
hrs,
February
22,
2007
Opening
the second directed
fishery in
the HLA
1Alaska
local time
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(A) and (B), vessels
using trawl gear for directed fishing for
Atka mackerel have previously
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:30 Feb 06, 2007
Jkt 211001
registered with NMFS to fish in the HLA
fisheries in areas 542 and/or 543. NMFS
has randomly assigned each vessel to
the directed fishery or fisheries for
which they have registered. NMFS has
notified each vessel owner as to which
fishery each vessel has been assigned by
NMFS (72 FR 2201, January 18, 2006).
In accordance with the 2006 and 2007
final harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894,
March 3, 2006), inseason adjustment (72
FR 1463, January 12, 2007), and
§ 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1), the HLA limits of
the A season allowance of the 2007
TACs in areas 542 and 543 are 8,214 mt
and 2,664 mt, respectively. Based on
those limits and the proportion of the
number of vessels in each fishery
compared to the total number of vessels
participating in the HLA directed
fishery for area 542 or 543, the harvest
limit for each HLA directed fishery in
areas 542 and 543 are as follows: for the
first directed fishery in area 542, 4,107
mt; for the first directed fishery in area
543, 1,332 mt; for the second directed
fishery in area 542, 4,107 mt; and for the
second directed fishery in area 543,
1,332 mt. In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(E), the Regional
Administrator has establish the closure
dates of the Atka mackerel directed
fisheries in the HLA for areas 542 and
543 based on the amount of the harvest
limit and the estimated fishing capacity
of the vessels assigned to the respective
fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Atka
mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and
543 in accordance with the dates and
times listed in Table 1 of this notice.
After the effective dates of these
closures, the maximum retainable
amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at
any time during a trip.
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
5645
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
responding to the most recent fisheries
data in a timely fashion and would
delay the closure of the Atka mackerel
fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District
and the Bering Sea subarea and the
opening and closing of the fisheries for
the HLA limits established for area 542
and area 543 pursuant to the 2007 Atka
mackerel TAC. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became
available as of February 1, 2007. The AA
also finds good cause to waive the 30day 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: February 1, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07–537 Filed 2–2–07; 2:22 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
E:\FR\FM\07FER1.SGM
07FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5644-5645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-537]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 020107F]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel 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; closures and openings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel with
gears other than jig gear in the Eastern Aleutian District and the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2007
total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in these areas. NMFS is
also announcing the opening and closing dates of the first and second
directed fisheries within the harvest limit area (HLA) in Statistical
Areas 542 and 543. These actions are necessary to conduct directed
fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA in areas 542 and 543.
DATES: The effective dates are provided in Table 1 under the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this temporary action.
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 2007 TAC of Atka mackerel specified for other gear in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea was established as
3,434 metric tons (mt) by the 2006 and 2007 final harvest
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006).
See Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(ii) and (c)(3)(iii).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii)(B), the
Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that 800 mt of the 2007 Atka mackerel TAC for other gear in
the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea will be
necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 2,634 mt. 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 Atka mackerel by vessels using other gear in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(C), the Regional
Administrator is opening the first directed fisheries for Atka mackerel
within the HLA in areas 542 and 543, 48 hours after the closure of the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea Atka mackerel
directed fishery. The Regional Administrator has established the
opening date for the second HLA directed fisheries as 48 hours after
the last closure of the first HLA fisheries in either area 542 or 543.
Consequently, NMFS is opening and
[[Page 5645]]
closing directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and
543 in accordance with the periods listed under Table 1 of this notice.
Table 1. Effective dates and times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Date\1\
Action Area ---------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closing Atka Eastern Aleutian 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
Mackerel with District and the February 3, September 1,
gears other than Bering Sea 2007 2007
jig gear subarea
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening the first 542 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
directed fishery February 5, February 19,
in the HLA 2007 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
543 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
February 5, February 6,
2007 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening the second 542 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs, March
directed fishery February 21, 7, 2007
in the HLA 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
543 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
February 21, February 22,
2007 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Alaska local time
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(A) and (B), vessels
using trawl gear for directed fishing for Atka mackerel have previously
registered with NMFS to fish in the HLA fisheries in areas 542 and/or
543. NMFS has randomly assigned each vessel to the directed fishery or
fisheries for which they have registered. NMFS has notified each vessel
owner as to which fishery each vessel has been assigned by NMFS (72 FR
2201, January 18, 2006).
In accordance with the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications
for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006), inseason
adjustment (72 FR 1463, January 12, 2007), and Sec.
679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1), the HLA limits of the A season allowance of the
2007 TACs in areas 542 and 543 are 8,214 mt and 2,664 mt, respectively.
Based on those limits and the proportion of the number of vessels in
each fishery compared to the total number of vessels participating in
the HLA directed fishery for area 542 or 543, the harvest limit for
each HLA directed fishery in areas 542 and 543 are as follows: for the
first directed fishery in area 542, 4,107 mt; for the first directed
fishery in area 543, 1,332 mt; for the second directed fishery in area
542, 4,107 mt; and for the second directed fishery in area 543, 1,332
mt. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(E), the Regional
Administrator has establish the closure dates of the Atka mackerel
directed fisheries in the HLA for areas 542 and 543 based on the amount
of the harvest limit and the estimated fishing capacity of the vessels
assigned to the respective fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and 543 in
accordance with the dates and times listed in Table 1 of this notice.
After the effective dates of these closures, 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 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
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would delay the closure of the Atka mackerel fishery in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea and the opening and
closing of the fisheries for the HLA limits established for area 542
and area 543 pursuant to the 2007 Atka mackerel TAC. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most
recent, relevant data only became available as of February 1, 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: February 1, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-537 Filed 2-2-07; 2:22 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
