Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska, 52637 [E8-20994]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 10, 2008 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 071106671–8010–02]
RIN 0648–XK32
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical
Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area
620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the C season allowance of the 2008 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for
Statistical Area 620 in the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), September 6, 2008, through
1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 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
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:26 Sep 09, 2008
Jkt 214001
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 C season allowance of the 2008
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620
of the GOA is 2,695 metric tons (mt) as
established by the 2008 and 2009
harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA (73 FR 10562, February 27,
2008). In accordance with
§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), hereby decreases the C
season pollock allowance by 1,998 mt,
the amount of the B season allowance of
the pollock TAC that was exceeded in
Statistical Area 620. Therefore, the
revised C season allowance of the
pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is
697 mt (2,695 mt minus 1,998 mt).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i),
the Regional Administrator has
determined that the C season allowance
of the 2008 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 620 of the GOA will soon be
reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 637 mt, and is
setting aside the remaining 60 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 pollock in Statistical
Area 620 of the GOA.
After the effective date of this closure
the maximum retainable amounts at
§ 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time
during a trip.
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Frm 00065
Fmt 4700
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52637
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 pollock in
Statistical Area 620 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 September
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 § 679.20
and is exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 5, 2008.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–20994 Filed 9–5–08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
E:\FR\FM\10SER1.SGM
10SER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20994]
[[Page 52637]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 071106671-8010-02]
RIN 0648-XK32
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the C season allowance of the 2008 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 6,
2008, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 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 C season allowance of the 2008 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 620 of the GOA is 2,695 metric tons (mt) as established by the
2008 and 2009 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (73 FR
10562, February 27, 2008). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)
the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby
decreases the C season pollock allowance by 1,998 mt, the amount of the
B season allowance of the pollock TAC that was exceeded in Statistical
Area 620. Therefore, the revised C season allowance of the pollock TAC
in Statistical Area 620 is 697 mt (2,695 mt minus 1,998 mt).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the C season allowance of the 2008
TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA will soon be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 637 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 60 mt
as bycatch to support other anticipated 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 pollock in
Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.
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 pollock in Statistical Area 620 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
September 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 is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 5, 2008.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-20994 Filed 9-5-08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S