Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Processor Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 27067 [07-2364]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 92 / Monday, May 14, 2007 / Rules and Regulations 4. Under subpart E, add a new § 665.72 to read as follows: I § 665.72 Closed seasons. (a) All fishing for, or possession of, any Hawaii Prohibited Bottomfish Management Unit Species, as specified in § 665.71, is prohibited in the Main Hawaiian Islands Management Subarea during May 15, 2007, through September 30, 2007, inclusive. All such species possessed in the Main Hawaiian Islands Management Subarea are presumed to have been taken and retained from that subarea, unless otherwise demonstrated by the person in possession of those species. (b) Hawaii Prohibited Bottomfish Management Unit Species, as specified in § 665.71, may not be sold or offered for sale during May 15, 2007, through September 30, 2007, inclusive, except as otherwise authorized by law. [FR Doc. E7–9213 Filed 5–11–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070213033–7033–01] RIN 0648–XA23 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Processor Vessels Using Trawl 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: ycherry on PROD1PC64 with RULES SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:35 May 11, 2007 Jkt 211001 management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2007 second seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 10, 2007, through 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 2007 second seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI is 11,133 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2007 and 2008 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007), for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2007, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2007. See § 679.20(c)(3)(iii), § 679.20(c)(5), and § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2007 second seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 8,933 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 2,200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 27067 fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. 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 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 processor vessels using trawl 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 May 8, 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: May 9, 2007. James P. Burgess Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–2364 Filed 5–9–07; 1:57 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\14MYR1.SGM 14MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 92 (Monday, May 14, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2364]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213033-7033-01]
RIN 0648-XA23


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Processor Vessels Using Trawl 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 processor vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the 2007 second seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod 
total allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher processor vessels 
using trawl gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 10, 2007, 
through 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 2007 second seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified 
for catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI is 11,133 
metric tons (mt) as established by the 2007 and 2008 final harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007), 
for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2007, through 1200 hrs, 
A.l.t., June 10, 2007. See Sec.  679.20(c)(3)(iii), Sec.  679.20(c)(5), 
and Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2007 
second seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher 
processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 8,933 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 2,200 
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 Pacific cod by 
catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI.
    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 processor vessels 
using trawl 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 May 8, 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: May 9, 2007.
James P. Burgess
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2364 Filed 5-9-07; 1:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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