Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska, 5128-5129 [08-376]
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5128
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 29, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
(4) Texas zone. The Texas zone is
bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in
order, the following points:
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(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(iv) Red snapper -16 inches (40.6 cm),
TL, for a fish taken by a person subject
to the bag limit specified in § 622.39
(b)(1)(iii) and 13 inches (38.1 cm), TL,
for a fish taken by a person not subject
to the bag limit.
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I 5. In § 622.39, paragraphs (b)(1)(viii)
through (b)(1)(x) are removed, and
paragraphs (b)(1)(iii) and (b)(1)(v) are
revised to read as follows:
(m) Required gear in the Gulf reef fish
fishery. For a person on board a vessel
to fish for Gulf reef fish in the Gulf EEZ,
the vessel must possess on board and
such person must use the gear as
specified in paragraphs (m)(1) through
(m)(3) of this section.
(1) Non-stainless steel circle hooks.
Non-stainless steel circle hooks are
required when fishing with natural
baits.
(2) Dehooking device. At least one
dehooking device is required and must
be used to remove hooks embedded in
Gulf reef fish with minimum damage.
The hook removal device must be
constructed to allow the hook to be
secured and the barb shielded without
re-engaging during the removal process.
The dehooking end must be blunt, and
all edges rounded. The device must be
of a size appropriate to secure the range
of hook sizes and styles used in the Gulf
reef fish fishery.
(3) Venting tool. At least one venting
tool is required and must be used to
deflate the swim bladders of Gulf reef
fish to release the fish with minimum
damage. This tool must be a sharpened,
hollow instrument, such as a
hypodermic syringe with the plunger
removed, or a 16–gauge needle fixed to
a hollow wooden dowel. A tool such as
a knife or an ice-pick may not be used.
The venting tool must be inserted into
the fish at a 45–degree angle
approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to
5.08 cm) from the base of the pectoral
fin. The tool must be inserted just deep
enough to release the gases, so that the
fish may be released with minimum
damage.
I 7. In § 622.42, paragraphs (a)(1)(v) and
(a)(3) are removed, and paragraphs
(a)(1)(i) and (a)(2) are revised to read as
follows:
§ 622.39
§ 622.42
Point
North lat.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
A
29°09.1′
28°44′
28°11′
27°44′
27°02′
26°00.5′
26°00.5′
26°24′
26°49′
27°12′
27°39′
27°55′
28°21.7′
29°09.1′
West long.
93°41.4′
95°15′
96°17′
96°53′
97°11′
96°57.3′
96°35.85′
96°36′
96°52′
96°51′
96°33′
96°04′
93°28.4′
93°41.4′
(m)***
The recreational fishery for red
snapper in or from the Gulf EEZ is
closed from January 1 through May 31
and from October 1 through December
31, each year. * * *
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*
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*
*
I 4. In § 622.37, paragraph (d)(1)(vi) is
removed and paragraph (d)(1)(iv) is
revised to read as follows:
§ 622.37
Size limits.
*
Bag and possession limits.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
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(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(iii) Red snapper -2. However, no red
snapper may be retained by the captain
or crew of a vessel operating as a charter
vessel or headboat. The bag limit for
such captain and crew is zero.
*
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(v) Gulf reef fish, combined,
excluding those specified in paragraphs
(b)(1)(i) through (b)(1)(iv) and
paragraphs (b)(1)(vi) through (b)(1)(vii)
of this section and excluding dwarf sand
perch and sand perch -20.
*
*
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I 6. In § 622.41, paragraph (m) is added
to read as follows:
§ 622.41
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Species specific limitations.
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VerDate Aug<31>2005
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16:22 Jan 28, 2008
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(a) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) Red snapper -2.55 million lb (1.16
million kg), round weight.
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(2) Recreational quota for red
snapper. The following quota applies to
persons who harvest red snapper other
than under commercial vessel permits
for Gulf reef fish and the commercial
quota specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of
this section -2.45 million lb (1.11
million kg), round weight.
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I 8. In § 622.48, paragraph (i) is revised
to read as follows:
§ 622.48 Adjustment of management
measures.
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Jkt 214001
Quotas.
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(i) Gulf shrimp. Closed seasons and
areas, target effort and fishing mortality
reduction levels, bycatch reduction
criteria, BRD certification and
decertification criteria, BRD testing
protocol, certified BRDs, and BRD
specification.
*
*
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[FR Doc. E8–1547 Filed 1–28–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 070213032–7032–01]
RIN 0648–XF34
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical
Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of
a closure.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is reopening directed
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area
630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 48
hours. This action is necessary to fully
use the A season allowance of the 2008
total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock
specified for Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), January 25, 2008, through
1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 27, 2008.
Comments must be received at the
following address no later than 4:30
p.m., A.l.t., February 8, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by 0648–XF34, by any one of
the following methods:
• Electronic Submissions: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal website at
https://www.regulations.gov;
• Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802;
• FAX: (907) 586–7557; or
• Hand delivery to the Federal
Building: 709 West 9th Street, Room
420A, Juneau, AK. Send comments to
Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn:
Ellen Sebastian.
Instructions: All comments received
are a part of the public record and will
generally be posted to https://
www.regulations.gov without change.
All Personal Identifying Information (for
E:\FR\FM\29JAR1.SGM
29JAR1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 19 / Tuesday, January 29, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with RULES
example, name, address, etc.)
voluntarily submitted by the commenter
may be publicly accessible. Do not
submit Confidential Business
Information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous
comments. Attachments to electronic
comments will be accepted in Microsoft
Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe
PDF file formats only.
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.
NMFS closed the directed fishery for
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA under § 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on
January 22, 2008, and which published
in the Federal Register on January 25,
2008.
NMFS has determined that
approximately 3,069 mt of pollock
remain in the directed fishing allowance
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:22 Jan 28, 2008
Jkt 214001
in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
Therefore, in accordance with
§ 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the A
season allowance of the 2008 TAC of
pollock in Statistical Area 630, NMFS is
terminating the previous closure and is
reopening directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. In
accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the
Regional Administrator finds that this
directed fishing allowance will be
reached after 48 hours. Consequently,
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA for 48 hours, effective 1200 hrs,
A.l.t., January 27, 2008.
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) and 679.25(c)(1)(ii) 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
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
5129
opening of pollock in Statistical Area
630 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 January 23, 2008.
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.
Without this inseason adjustment,
NMFS could not allow the fishery for
pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA to be harvested in an expedient
manner and in accordance with the
regulatory schedule. Under
§ 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are
invited to submit written comments on
this action to the above address until
February 8, 2008.
This action is required by § 679.20
and § 679.25 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 24, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 08–376 Filed 1–24–08; 1:38 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
E:\FR\FM\29JAR1.SGM
29JAR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 19 (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5128-5129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-376]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 070213032-7032-01]
RIN 0648-XF34
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is reopening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 48 hours. This action is
necessary to fully use the A season allowance of the 2008 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 630 of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 25,
2008, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 27, 2008. Comments must be
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t.,
February 8, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 0648-XF34, by any one
of the following methods:
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal website at https://
www.regulations.gov;
Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802;
FAX: (907) 586-7557; or
Hand delivery to the Federal Building: 709 West 9th
Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK. Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region,
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian.
Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for
[[Page 5129]]
example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter
may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business
Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous comments. Attachments to electronic
comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or
Adobe PDF file formats only.
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.
NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area
630 of the GOA under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 22, 2008, and
which published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2008.
NMFS has determined that approximately 3,069 mt of pollock remain
in the directed fishing allowance in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and
(a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize the A season allowance of the 2008
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 630, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is reopening directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. In accordance with Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed
fishing allowance will be reached after 48 hours. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the
GOA for 48 hours, effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 27, 2008.
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) and 679.25(c)(1)(ii) 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 opening of pollock in Statistical Area 630
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 January 23, 2008.
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.
Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery
for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA to be harvested in an
expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under
Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written
comments on this action to the above address until February 8, 2008.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.25 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 24, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 08-376 Filed 1-24-08; 1:38 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
