Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chiniak Gully Research Area for Vessels Using Trawl Gear, 1555 [E8-172]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 6 / Wednesday, January 9, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 1555 TABLE 8—FINAL 2008 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATION OF PACIFIC COD TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA; ALLOCATIONS FOR PROCESSING BY THE INSHORE AND OFFSHORE COMPONENTS—Continued (values are rounded to the nearest metric ton) Component allocation Season Regulatory area TAC Inshore (90%) Total 50,269 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 allow for harvests that exceed the appropriate allocations for Pacific cod based on the best scientific information available. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of December 13, 2007, and additional time for prior public comment would result in conservation concerns for the ESA-listed Steller sea lions. 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. Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until January 22, 2008. This action is required by § 679.22 and § 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 3, 2008. Emily H. Menashes Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 08–37 Filed 1–4–08; 1:38 pm] pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:21 Jan 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 070213032–7032–01] RIN 0648–XE81 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chiniak Gully Research Area for Vessels Using Trawl Gear National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule. AGENCY: NMFS is rescinding the trawl closure in the Chiniak Gully Research Area. This action is necessary to allow vessels using trawl gear to participate in directed fishing for groundfish in the Chiniak Gully Research Area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 1, 2008, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 20, 2008. 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 Chiniak Gully Research Area is closed to vessels using trawl gear from August 1 to a date no later than September 20 under regulations at § 679.22(b)(6)(ii)(A). This closure is in support of a research project to evaluate SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Offshore (10%) 45,242 5,027 the effects of commercial fishing on pollock distribution and abundance, as part of a comprehensive investigation of Stellar sea lion and commercial fishery interactions. The regulations at § 679.22(b)(6)(ii)(B) provide that the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) shall rescind the trawl closure if relevant research activities will not be conducted. The Regional Administrator has determined that research activities will not be conducted in 2008 in the Chiniak Gully Research Area. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is rescinding the trawl closure of the Chiniak Gully Research Area. All other closures remain in full force and effect. Classification Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 (b)(B), the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA) finds good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment is unnecessary. Notice and comment is unnecessary because the rescission of the trawl closure is non-discretionary; pursuant to § 679.22(b)(6)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator has no choice but to rescind the trawl closure once it is determined that research activities will not be conducted in the area. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1), this rule is not subject to the 30–day delay in effective date requirement of 5 U.S.C. 553(d) since the rule relieves a restriction. This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 3, 2008. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–172 Filed 1–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\09JAR1.SGM 09JAR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-172]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213032-7032-01]
RIN 0648-XE81


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Chiniak 
Gully Research Area for Vessels Using Trawl Gear

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

ACTION: Temporary rule.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS is rescinding the trawl closure in the Chiniak Gully 
Research Area. This action is necessary to allow vessels using trawl 
gear to participate in directed fishing for groundfish in the Chiniak 
Gully Research Area.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 1, 2008, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 20, 2008.

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 Chiniak Gully Research Area is closed to vessels using trawl 
gear from August 1 to a date no later than September 20 under 
regulations at Sec.  679.22(b)(6)(ii)(A). This closure is in support of 
a research project to evaluate the effects of commercial fishing on 
pollock distribution and abundance, as part of a comprehensive 
investigation of Stellar sea lion and commercial fishery interactions.
    The regulations at Sec.  679.22(b)(6)(ii)(B) provide that the 
Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) 
shall rescind the trawl closure if relevant research activities will 
not be conducted. The Regional Administrator has determined that 
research activities will not be conducted in 2008 in the Chiniak Gully 
Research Area. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is rescinding the 
trawl closure of the Chiniak Gully Research Area. All other closures 
remain in full force and effect.

Classification

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 (b)(B), the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NOAA (AA) finds good cause to waive prior notice and an 
opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment is 
unnecessary. Notice and comment is unnecessary because the rescission 
of the trawl closure is non-discretionary; pursuant to Sec.  
679.22(b)(6)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator has no choice but to 
rescind the trawl closure once it is determined that research 
activities will not be conducted in the area.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1), this rule is not subject to the 30-
day delay in effective date requirement of 5 U.S.C. 553(d) since the 
rule relieves a restriction.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: January 3, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-172 Filed 1-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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