Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker Rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska, 39580-39581 [07-3500]

Download as PDF 39580 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 138 / Thursday, July 19, 2007 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 060314069–6069–01] RIN 0648–XA86 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Closure of the Closed Area I Scallop Access Area to General Category Scallop Vessels National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the Closed Area I Scallop Access Area (CAI) will close to general category scallop vessels for the remainder of the 2007 scallop fishing year. This action is based on the determination that 216 general category scallop trips into CAI are projected to be taken as of 0001 hr local time, July 15, 2007. This action is being taken to prevent the allocation of general category trips in CAI from being exceeded during the 2007 fishing year, in accordance with the regulations implementing Framework 18 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. DATES: The closure is effective from 0001 hours, July 15, 2007, through February 29, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Silva, Fishery Management Specialist, (978)–281–9326, fax (978)– 281–9135. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing fishing activity in the Sea Scallop Access Areas (§ 648.59 and 648.60) authorize vessels issued a valid general category scallop permit to fish in CAI under specific conditions, including a cap of 216 trips that may be taken by general category vessels during the 2007 fishing year. The regulations at § 648.59(b)(5)(ii) require CAI to be closed to general category scallop vessels once the Northeast Regional Administrator has determined that the allowed number of trips are projected to be taken. Based on Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) trip declarations by general category scallop vessels fishing in CAI, and analysis of fishing effort, a projection concluded that, given current VerDate Aug<31>2005 13:36 Jul 18, 2007 Jkt 211001 activity levels by general category scallop vessels in the area, the trip cap will be attained on July 15, 2007. Therefore, in accordance with the regulations at § 648.59(b)(5)(ii), CAI is closed to all general category scallop vessels as of 0001 hr local time, July 15, 2007. No general category scallop vessel may declare or initiate a trip into this area. This closure is in effect for the remainder of the 2007 scallop fishing year. CAI is scheduled to re-open to scallop fishing, including trips for general category scallop vessels, on June 15, 2008, unless the schedule for scallop access areas is modified by the New England Fishery Management Council. Classification This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Due to the need to take immediate action to close CAI once the allowed number of trips have been taken, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3) proposed rulemaking is waived because it would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest to allow a period for public comment. CAI opened for the 2007 fishing year at 0001 hours on June 15, 2007. Data indicating the general category scallop fleet has taken all of CAI trips have only recently become available. To allow general category scallop vessels to continue to take trips in CAI during the period necessary to publish and receive comments on a proposed rule would result in vessels taking much more than the allowed number of trips in CAI. Excessive trips and harvest from CAI would result in excessive fishing effort in CAI, where effort controls are critical, thereby undermining conservation objectives of the FMP. Should excessive effort occur in CAI, future management measures would need to be more restrictive. Furthermore, for the same reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C 553(b)(3) to waive the 30-day delayed effectiveness period for this action. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 13, 2007. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–3499 Filed 7–13–07; 3:27 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070213032–7032–01] RIN 0648–XB52 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker Rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; prohibition of retention. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that shortraker rockfish in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the 2007 total allowable catch (TAC) of shortraker rockfish in this area has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 13, 2007, through 1200 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 GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the MagnusonStevens 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 shortraker rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 153 metric tons as established by the 2007 and 2008 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (72 FR 9676, March 5, 2007). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Regional Administrator has determined that the 2007 TAC of shortraker rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that shortraker rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with § 679.21(b). After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. E:\FR\FM\19JYR1.SGM 19JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 138 / Thursday, July 19, 2007 / Rules and Regulations Classification DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 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 prohibition of retention of shortraker rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 12, 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. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 13, 2007. Emily Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–3500 Filed 7–13–07; 3:27 pm] cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 13:36 Jul 18, 2007 Jkt 211001 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070213033–7033–01] RIN 0648–XB51 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Greenland Turbot in the Bering Sea Subarea of 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 Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2007 Greenland turbot total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 14, 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 Greenland turbot TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI is 1,428 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2007 and 2008 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2007 Greenland turbot TAC in the Bering Sea PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 39581 subarea of the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 828 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 600 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. 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 Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 July 12, 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: July 12, 2007. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office Of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 07–3501 Filed 7–13–07; 3:27 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\19JYR1.SGM 19JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 138 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39580-39581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3500]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213032-7032-01]
RIN 0648-XB52


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker 
Rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; prohibition of retention.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish in 
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that shortraker rockfish in this area be treated in the same manner as 
prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This 
action is necessary because the 2007 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
shortraker rockfish in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 13, 2007, 
through 1200 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 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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 shortraker rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the 
GOA is 153 metric tons as established by the 2007 and 2008 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (72 FR 9676, March 5, 2007).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Regional Administrator 
has determined that the 2007 TAC of shortraker rockfish in Statistical 
Area 610 of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that 
shortraker rockfish in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA be treated as 
prohibited species in accordance with Sec.  679.21(b).
    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.

[[Page 39581]]

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 prohibition of retention of shortraker rockfish in 
Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice 
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant 
data only became available as of July 12, 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: July 13, 2007.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-3500 Filed 7-13-07; 3:27 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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