Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 32559 [07-2927]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 113 / Wednesday, June 13, 2007 / Rules and Regulations (c) * * * (4) A certified at-sea observer is on board, as required by § 648.11(g). * * * * * (e) * * * (3) * * * (iii) A certified at-sea observer is on board, as required by § 648.11(g). * * * * * I 6. In § 648.55, paragraph (e)(31) is revised, and paragraph (e)(32) is added to read as follows: * * * * * § 648.55 Framework adjustments to management measures. (e) * * * (31) Modifications to provisions associated with observer set-asides; observer coverage; observer deployment; observer service provider; and/or the observer certification regulations. (32) Any other management measures currently included in the FMP. * * * * * I 7. In § 648.60, paragraph (a)(2) is revised to read as follows: § 648.60 Sea scallop area access program requirements. (a) * * * (2) Vessels participating in the Sea Scallop Access Area Program must comply with the trip declaration requirements specified in § 648.10(b)(4) and vessel notification requirements specified in § 648.11(g) for observer deployment. * * * * * [FR Doc. 07–2928 Filed 6–8–07; 2:52 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070213033–7033–01] RIN 0648–XA75 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole by 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. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:03 Jun 12, 2007 Jkt 211001 (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the third seasonal allowance of the 2007 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 10, 2007, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 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 third seasonal allowance of the 2007 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI is 49 metric tons as established by the 2007 and 2008 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007). In accordance with § 679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the third seasonal allowance of the 2007 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by 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 directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 32559 public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of June 7, 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 § 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: June 7, 2007. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–2927 Filed 6–8–07; 2:52 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070209029–7118–02; I.D. 112906A] RIN 0648–AU58 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Observer Program National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS issues a final rule to amend regulations implementing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program). This action is necessary to avoid expiration of these regulations on December 31, 2007, and ensure uninterrupted observer coverage in North Pacific groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area and the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMPs). Effective on July 13, 2007. Copies of the final Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (EA/RIR/FRFA) prepared for this action may be obtained from the NMFS Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Ellen Sebastian, and on the NMFS Alaska DATES: ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\13JNR1.SGM 13JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 13, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2927]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213033-7033-01]
RIN 0648-XA75


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin 
Sole by 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.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by 
vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the third seasonal allowance of the 2007 halibut bycatch allowance 
specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 10, 2007, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 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 third seasonal allowance of the 2007 halibut bycatch allowance 
specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in the BSAI is 
49 metric tons as established by the 2007 and 2008 final harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the third seasonal allowance of the 
2007 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole 
fishery category in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by 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 directed fishing for yellowfin sole by 
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 June 7, 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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: June 7, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2927 Filed 6-8-07; 2:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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