Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel by Vessels in the Amendment 80 Limited Access Fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 7480-7481 [08-567]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 27 / Friday, February 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
category daily retention limit based on
the criteria provided in § 635.27(a)(8).
As discussed above, the determination
to adjust the retention limit is primarily
based on the catches of large school/
small medium BFT in 2007 and the
likelihood of closure of that segment of
the fishery if no adjustment is made
(§ 635.27(a)(8)(ii)), and the anticipated
availability of large school/small
medium BFT on the fishing grounds
§ 635.27(a)(8)(ix). NMFS anticipates that
reduction of the retention limit for large
school/small medium BFT will result in
landings during 2008 that would not
exceed the available subquota (183.4 mt)
as set in the 2008 quota specifications
(72 FR 74193, December 31, 2007).
Daily Retention Limits
Pursuant to this action and the final
2008 BFT specifications, noted above,
the BFT daily retention limit per vessel
for the HMS Angling category and the
HMS Charter/Headboat category (while
fishing recreationally) is one BFT
measuring 27 inches (68.6 cm) to less
than 47 inches (119.4 cm), and one BFT
measuring 47 inches (119.4 cm) to less
than 73 inches (185.4 cm). In the case
of multi-day trips, the daily limit
applies. This action does not change the
annual Angling category limit of one
large medium or giant BFT (73 inches
(185.4 cm) or greater) per vessel.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
Monitoring and Reporting
NMFS selected the daily retention
limit to apply for the remainder of 2008,
or until changed, after examining
current and previous fishing year catch
and effort rates, taking into
consideration public comment on the
annual specifications, and analyzing the
available quota for the 2008 fishing year.
NMFS will continue to monitor the BFT
fishery closely through dealer landing
reports, the Automated Landings
Reporting System, state harvest tagging
programs in North Carolina and
Maryland, and the LPS. Depending on
the level of fishing effort, NMFS may
determine that additional retention limit
adjustments are necessary prior to
December 31, 2008. Closures or
subsequent adjustments to the daily
retention limits, if any, will be
published in the Federal Register. In
addition, fishermen may call the
Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (888)
872–8862 or (978) 281–9260, or access
the internet at www.hmspermits.gov, for
updates on quota monitoring and
retention limit adjustments.
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for
NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable
and contrary to the public interest to
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:26 Feb 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
provide prior notice of, and an
opportunity for public comment on, this
action. LPS Angling category estimates
and NC recreational census data,
recently made available, indicate an
overharvest of the Angling category
quota in 2007, particularly the large
school/small medium BFT subquota. An
adjustment to the daily retention limit
for large school/small medium BFT is
warranted. Delaying this action would
be contrary to the public interest
because it could result in insufficient
reduction of large school/small medium
BFT landings and could result in more
restrictive actions being needed later in
the season (such as seasonal closures).
Further, for fishing trip planning
purposes, NMFS seeks to provide as
much notice as possible about the
fishing regulations that will apply
during the active portion of the fishing
year (beginning in late spring) so that
anglers and charter/headboat operators
can plan their fishing trips accordingly.
Therefore, the AA finds good cause
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior
notice and the opportunity for public
comment. For all of the above reasons,
there is good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in
effectiveness of this action.
This action is being taken under 50
CFR 635.23(a)(4) and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801
et seq.
Dated: February 5, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2349 Filed 2–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 070213033–7033–01]
RIN 0648–XF52
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel by
Vessels in the Amendment 80 Limited
Access Fishery in the Eastern Aleutian
District and 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:
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Atka mackerel for vessels
participating in the Amendment 80
limited access fishery in the Eastern
Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the A
season allowance of the 2008 Atka
mackerel allowable catch (TAC)
specified for vessels participating in the
Amendment 80 limited access fishery in
the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), February 5, 2008, through
1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Hogan, 907–586–7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone
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 A season allowance of the 2008
Atka mackerel TAC allocated to vessels
participating in the Amendment 80
limited access fishery in the Eastern
Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea
of the BSAI is 3,654 metric tons (mt) as
established by the 2007 and 2008 final
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007)
and revision (72 FR 71802, December
19, 2007). See § 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and
§ 679.91(c)(4).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the A season allowance
of the 2008 Atka mackerel TAC
allocated to vessels participating in the
Amendment 80 limited access fishery in
the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 3,644 mt and is
setting aside the remaining 10 mt as
incidental catch to support other
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 Atka mackerel by
vessels participating in the Amendment
80 limited access fishery in the Eastern
E:\FR\FM\08FER1.SGM
08FER1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 27 / Friday, February 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
Aleutian District and 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
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:26 Feb 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
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 Atka mackerel by
vessels participating in the Amendment
80 limited access fishery in the Eastern
Aleutian District and 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 February 4, 2008.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
7481
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 § 679.91 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 5, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 08–567 Filed 2–5–08; 12:10 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
E:\FR\FM\08FER1.SGM
08FER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 27 (Friday, February 8, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7480-7481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-567]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 070213033-7033-01]
RIN 0648-XF52
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel by Vessels in the Amendment 80 Limited Access Fishery in the
Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea Subarea of 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 Atka mackerel for
vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the
Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2008 Atka mackerel
allowable catch (TAC) specified for vessels participating in the
Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District
and Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 5,
2008, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 A season allowance of the 2008 Atka mackerel TAC allocated to
vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the
Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI is 3,654
metric tons (mt) as established by the 2007 and 2008 final harvest
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (72 FR 9451, March 2, 2007)
and revision (72 FR 71802, December 19, 2007). See Sec.
679.20(a)(8)(ii)(A) and Sec. 679.91(c)(4).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the A season
allowance of the 2008 Atka mackerel TAC allocated to vessels
participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Eastern
Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 3,644 mt and is setting aside the
remaining 10 mt as incidental catch to support other groundfish
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka
mackerel by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access
fishery in the Eastern
[[Page 7481]]
Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea of 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 Atka mackerel by vessels participating in
the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian
District and 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 February 4, 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.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.91 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: February 5, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 08-567 Filed 2-5-08; 12:10 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
