Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 51242-51243 [E8-20251]
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erowe on PROD1PC64 with RULES
51242
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 2, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
(E) Groundlines. All groundlines must
be composed entirely of sinking line.
The attachment of buoys, toggles, or
other floatation devices to groundlines
is prohibited.
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(5)* * *
(ii)* * *
(B) Groundlines. On or before April 5,
2009, all groundlines must be composed
entirely of sinking line unless exempted
from this requirement under paragraph
(a)(4) of this section. * * *
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*
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(6) * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) Groundlines. On or before April 5,
2009, all groundlines must be composed
entirely of sinking line unless exempted
for this requirement under paragraph
(a)(4) of this section. * * *
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(7) * * *
(ii) * * *
(C) Groundlines. On or before April 5,
2009, all groundlines must be composed
entirely of sinking line unless exempted
from this requirement under paragraph
(a)(4) of this section. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
(8) * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) Groundlines. On or before April 5,
2009, all groundlines must be composed
entirely of sinking line unless exempted
from this requirement under paragraph
(a)(4) of this section. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
(9) * * *
(ii) * * *
(B) Groundlines. On or before April 5,
2009, all groundlines must be composed
entirely of sinking line unless exempted
from this requirement under paragraph
(a)(4) of this section. * * *
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(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(i) * * * If more than one buoy is
attached to a single buoy line or if a
high flyer and a buoy are used together
on a single buoy line, sinking line must
be used between these objects.
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(6) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) Groundlines. On or before October
5, 2008, all groundlines must be
composed entirely of sinking line unless
exempted from this requirement under
paragraph (a)(4) of this section. * * *
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*
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(7) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) Groundlines. On or before October
5, 2008, all groundlines must be
VerDate Aug<31>2005
13:28 Aug 29, 2008
Jkt 214001
composed entirely of sinking line unless
exempted from this requirement under
paragraph (a)(4) of this section. * * *
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(i) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) * * *
(1) Anchored gillnet gear—(i)
Groundlines. All groundlines must be
made entirely of sinking line. * * *
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(2) Trap/pot gear—(i) Groundlines.
All groundlines must be made entirely
of sinking line. * * *
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[FR Doc. E8–20167 Filed 8–29–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 071106673–8011–02]
RIN 0648–XK14
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closures and
openings.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI) by
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access fishery. This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2008
total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka
mackerel in these areas by vessels
participating in the BSAI trawl limited
access fishery. NMFS is also
announcing the opening and closing
dates of the first and second directed
fisheries within the harvest limit area
(HLA) in areas 542 and 543. These
actions are necessary to conduct
directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the
HLA in areas 542 and 543.
DATES: The effective dates are provided
in Table 1 under the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this temporary
action.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Hogan, 907–586–7228.
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
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 2008 TAC of Atka mackerel for
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access fishery in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea was established as 319 metric
tons (mt) by the 2008 and 2009 final
harvest specifications for groundfish in
the BSAI (73 FR 10160, February 26,
2008), reallocation (73 FR 44173, July
30, 2008), and correction (73 FR 47559,
August 14, 2008).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i)
and (d)(1)(ii)(B), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), has determined that 159
mt of the 2008 Atka mackerel TAC
allocated to vessels participating in the
BSAI trawl limited access fishery in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering
Sea subarea will be necessary as
incidental catch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 160 mt. 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 in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering
Sea subarea by vessels participating in
the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(C), the Regional
Administrator is opening the first
directed fisheries for Atka mackerel
within the HLA in areas 542 and 543,
48 hours after prohibiting directed
fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea. The Regional Administrator
has established the opening dates for the
second HLA directed fisheries as 48
hours after the last closure of the first
HLA fisheries in either area 542 or 543.
Consequently, NMFS is opening and
closing directed fishing for Atka
mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and
543 in accordance with the periods
listed under Table 1 of this notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\02SER1.SGM
02SER1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 170 / Tuesday, September 2, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
51243
TABLE 1. EFFECTIVE DATES AND TIMES
Effective Date1
Action
Area
From
To
Prohibiting Atka mackerel by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access fishery
Eastern Aleutian District and the
Bering Sea subarea
1200 hrs, September 1, 2008
1200 hrs, November 1, 2008
Opening the first and second directed fisheries in the HLA for the
Amendment 80 cooperative
542 and 543
1200 hrs, September 3, 2008
1200 hrs, September 13, 2008
542 and 543
1200 hrs, September 15, 2008
1200 hrs, September 25, 2008
542 and 543
1200 hrs, September 3, 2008
1200 hrs, September 11, 2008
542 and 543
1200 hrs, September 13, 2008
1200 hrs, September 21, 2008
542
1200 hrs, September 3, 2008
1200 hrs, September 13, 2008
Opening the first and second directed fisheries in the HLA for
vessels participating in the
Amendment 80 limited access
sector
Opening the first directed fishery
in the HLA for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited
access sector
erowe on PROD1PC64 with RULES
1Alaska
local time
In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(A) and
§ 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(B), vessels using trawl
gear for directed fishing for Atka
mackerel have previously registered
with NMFS to fish in the HLA fisheries
in areas 542 and 543. NMFS has
randomly assigned each vessel to the
directed fishery or fisheries for which
they have registered. NMFS has notified
each vessel owner as to which fishery
each vessel has been assigned by NMFS
(73 FR 47852, August 11, 2008).
In accordance with the final 2008 and
2009 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (73 FR 10160,
February 26, 2008), revision (73 FR
44173, July 30, 2008), and correction (73
FR 47559, August 14, 2008), and
§ 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1), the HLA limits of
the B season allowance of the 2008
TACs in areas 542 and 543 are 3,843 mt
and 2,789 mt, respectively, for vessels
participating in the Amendment 80
limited access fishery. The HLA limits
of the B season allowance of the 2008
TACs in areas 542 and 543 are 2,534 mt
and 1,735 mt, respectively, for
Amendment 80 cooperatives. The HLA
limit of the B season allowance of the
2008 TACs in area 542 is 130 mt for the
BSAI trawl limited access fishery. In
accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(E),
the Regional Administrator has
established the closure dates of the Atka
mackerel directed fisheries in the HLA
for areas 542 and 543 based on the
amount of the harvest limit and the
estimated fishing capacity of the vessels
assigned to the respective fisheries.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
13:28 Aug 29, 2008
Jkt 214001
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the
HLA of areas 542 and 543 in accordance
with the dates and times listed in Table
1 of this notice.
After the effective dates of these
closures, the maximum retainable
amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at
any time during a trip.
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.
Classification
Dated: August 27, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–20251 Filed 8–27–08; 4:15 pm]
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 a 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 the Atka mackerel
fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District
and the Bering Sea subarea for vessels
participating in the BSAI trawl limited
access fishery and the opening and
closing of the fisheries for the HLA
limits established for area 542 and area
543 pursuant to the 2008 Atka mackerel
TAC. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as
of August 25, 2008. The AA also finds
good cause to waive the 30-day delay in
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 071106673–8011–02]
RIN 0648–XK13
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Catcher Vessels 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA and
Longer Using Hook-and-Line 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.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\02SER1.SGM
02SER1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 2, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51242-51243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20251]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 071106673-8011-02]
RIN 0648-XK14
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel 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; closures and openings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in
the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel
in these areas by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited
access fishery. NMFS is also announcing the opening and closing dates
of the first and second directed fisheries within the harvest limit
area (HLA) in areas 542 and 543. These actions are necessary to conduct
directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA in areas 542 and 543.
DATES: The effective dates are provided in Table 1 under the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this temporary action.
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 2008 TAC of Atka mackerel for vessels participating in the BSAI
trawl limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District and the
Bering Sea subarea was established as 319 metric tons (mt) by the 2008
and 2009 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (73 FR
10160, February 26, 2008), reallocation (73 FR 44173, July 30, 2008),
and correction (73 FR 47559, August 14, 2008).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii)(B), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that 159 mt of the 2008 Atka mackerel TAC allocated to
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea will be necessary
as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 160 mt. 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 in the Eastern Aleutian District and
the Bering Sea subarea by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access fishery.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(C), the Regional
Administrator is opening the first directed fisheries for Atka mackerel
within the HLA in areas 542 and 543, 48 hours after prohibiting
directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and
the Bering Sea subarea. The Regional Administrator has established the
opening dates for the second HLA directed fisheries as 48 hours after
the last closure of the first HLA fisheries in either area 542 or 543.
Consequently, NMFS is opening and closing directed fishing for Atka
mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and 543 in accordance with the periods
listed under Table 1 of this notice.
[[Page 51243]]
Table 1. Effective dates and times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Date\1\
Action Area -----------------------------------
From To
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prohibiting Atka Eastern Aleutian 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
mackerel by District and the September 1, November 1,
vessels Bering Sea 2008 2008
participating in subarea
the BSAI trawl
limited access
fishery
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening the first 542 and 543 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
and second September 3, September 13,
directed 2008 2008
fisheries in the
HLA for the
Amendment 80
cooperative
------------------------------------------------------
542 and 543 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
September 15, September 25,
2008 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening the first 542 and 543 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
and second September 3, September 11,
directed 2008 2008
fisheries in the
HLA for vessels
participating in
the Amendment 80
limited access
sector
------------------------------------------------------
542 and 543 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
September 13, September 21,
2008 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening the first 542 1200 hrs, 1200 hrs,
directed fishery September 3, September 13,
in the HLA for 2008 2008
vessels
participating in
the BSAI trawl
limited access
sector
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Alaska local time
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(A) and Sec.
679.20(a)(8)(iii)(B), vessels using trawl gear for directed fishing for
Atka mackerel have previously registered with NMFS to fish in the HLA
fisheries in areas 542 and 543. NMFS has randomly assigned each vessel
to the directed fishery or fisheries for which they have registered.
NMFS has notified each vessel owner as to which fishery each vessel has
been assigned by NMFS (73 FR 47852, August 11, 2008).
In accordance with the final 2008 and 2009 harvest specifications
for groundfish in the BSAI (73 FR 10160, February 26, 2008), revision
(73 FR 44173, July 30, 2008), and correction (73 FR 47559, August 14,
2008), and Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1), the HLA limits of the B season
allowance of the 2008 TACs in areas 542 and 543 are 3,843 mt and 2,789
mt, respectively, for vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited
access fishery. The HLA limits of the B season allowance of the 2008
TACs in areas 542 and 543 are 2,534 mt and 1,735 mt, respectively, for
Amendment 80 cooperatives. The HLA limit of the B season allowance of
the 2008 TACs in area 542 is 130 mt for the BSAI trawl limited access
fishery. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(E), the Regional
Administrator has established the closure dates of the Atka mackerel
directed fisheries in the HLA for areas 542 and 543 based on the amount
of the harvest limit and the estimated fishing capacity of the vessels
assigned to the respective fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and 543 in
accordance with the dates and times listed in Table 1 of this notice.
After the effective dates of these closures, 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 a 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 the Atka mackerel fishery in the Eastern
Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea for vessels participating
in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery and the opening and closing of
the fisheries for the HLA limits established for area 542 and area 543
pursuant to the 2008 Atka mackerel TAC. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of August 25, 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 is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 27, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-20251 Filed 8-27-08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
