Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less than 60 Feet (18.3 m) LOA Using Pot or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 31758 [07-2857]

Download as PDF 31758 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 110 / Friday, June 8, 2007 / Rules and Regulations The TAL for tilefish for the 2007 fishing year was set at 1.995 million lb (905,172 kg) and then adjusted downward by 5 percent to 1,895,250 lb (859,671 kg) to account for incidental catch. There was no research set-aside for the 2007 fishing year. Thus, the Fulltime Tier 2 permit quota for the 2007 fishing year, which is equal to 15 percent of the TAL, was specified at 284,288 lb (106,108 kg). Notification of the 2007 Full-time Tier 2 category quota for the 2007 fishing year was published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2006 (71 FR 63703). The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) monitors the commercial tilefish quota for each fishing year using dealer reports, vessel catch reports, and other available information to determine when the quota for each limited access permit category is projected to have been harvested. NMFS is required to publish notification in the Federal Register notifying commercial vessels and dealer permit holders that, effective upon a specific date, the tilefish TAL for the specific limited access category has been harvested and no commercial quota is available for harvesting tilefish by that category for the remainder of the fishing year, from the Golden Tilefish Management Unit. The Regional Administrator has determined, based upon dealer reports and other available information, that the 2007 tilefish TAL for the Full-time Tier 2 category has been harvested. Therefore, effective 0001 hr local time, June 7, 2007, further landings of tilefish harvested from the Golden Tilefish Management Unit by tilefish vessels holding Full-time Tier 2 category Federal fisheries permits are prohibited through October 31, 2007. The 2008 fishing year for commercial tilefish harvest will open on November 1, 2007. Federally permitted dealers are also advised that, effective June 7, 2007, they may not purchase tilefish from Full-time Tier 2 category federally permitted tilefish vessels who land tilefish harvested from the Golden Tilefish Management Unit for the remainder of the 2007 fishing year (through October 31, 2007). jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:48 Jun 07, 2007 Jkt 211001 Dated: June 05, 2007. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office Of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–2858 Filed 6–5–07; 1:25 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070213033–7033–01] RIN 0648–XA70 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less than 60 Feet (18.3 m) LOA Using Pot or Hook-andLine 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 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 prevent exceeding the 2007 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to 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.), June 6, 2007, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 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 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2007 and 2008 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007), the reallocation on March 5, 2007 (72 FR 10428, March 8, 2007), and the PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 reallocation on April 31, 2007 (72 FR 18595, April 30, 2007) allocated a directed fishing allowance for Pacific cod of 2,853 metric tons to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that the 2007 Pacific cod directed fishing allowance allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 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. 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 vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line 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 June 4, 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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 4, 2007 James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–2857 Filed 6–5–07; 1:25 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\08JNR1.SGM 08JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 110 (Friday, June 8, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2857]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213033-7033-01]
RIN 0648-XA70


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less than 60 Feet (18.3 m) LOA Using Pot or Hook-
and-Line 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 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). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the 2007 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to 
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.), June 6, 2007, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 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 appear at 
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2007 and 2008 final harvest specifications for groundfish in 
the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007), the reallocation on March 5, 2007 
(72 FR 10428, March 8, 2007), and the reallocation on April 31, 2007 
(72 FR 18595, April 30, 2007) allocated a directed fishing allowance 
for Pacific cod of 2,853 metric tons to catcher vessels less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that the 2007 Pacific cod directed fishing 
allowance allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA 
using pot or hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-
line 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 vessels less than 60 
feet (18.3 m) LOA using pot or hook-and-line 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 June 4, 
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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: June 4, 2007
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2857 Filed 6-5-07; 1:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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