Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 58899-58900 [E8-23879]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations that were less than 4.75 inches (120 mm). Based on these data, the Regional Administrator adopts the Council’s recommendation and suspends the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams from January 1 through December 31, 2009. Classification This action is authorized by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 3, 2008. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–23874 Filed 10–7–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 071106671–8010–02] RIN 0648–XL00 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. dwashington3 on PRODPC61 with RULES AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 5, 2008, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269. 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. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:27 Oct 07, 2008 Jkt 217001 The 2008 TAC of northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,141 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2008 and 2009 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (73 FR 10562, February 27, 2008). The fishery was closed on July 7, 2008 (73 FR 39626 July 2, 2008) and reopened on July 14, 2008 (73 FR 40765, July 10, 2008). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2008 TAC of northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,121 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 20 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 northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area 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. 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 northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area 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 October 2, 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. PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 58899 Dated: October 3, 2008. Emily H. Menashes Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–23876 Filed 10–3–08; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 071106673–8011–02] RIN 0648–XK99 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 Central Aleutian District 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 the Central Aleutian District of the BSAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 3, 2008, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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 2008 Atka mackerel TAC in the Central Aleutian District allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was established as 434 metric tons (mt) by the final 2008 and 2009 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (73 FR 10160, February 26, 2008), reallocation (73 FR E:\FR\FM\08OCR1.SGM 08OCR1 58900 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 8, 2008 / Rules and Regulations dwashington3 on PRODPC61 with RULES 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 the 2008 TAC of Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian District allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 424 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as incidental catch 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 Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian District by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:27 Oct 07, 2008 Jkt 217001 After the effective dates of these closures, the maximum retainable amounts at § 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 Central Aleutian District by vessels participating in the BSAI PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 trawl limited access fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 2, 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: October 3, 2008. Emily H. Menashes Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–23879 Filed 10–3–08; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\08OCR1.SGM 08OCR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 8, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58899-58900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23879]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 071106673-8011-02]
RIN 0648-XK99


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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the 
Central Aleutian District 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 the Central 
Aleutian District of the BSAI allocated to vessels participating in the 
BSAI trawl limited access fishery.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 3, 2008, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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 2008 Atka mackerel TAC in the Central Aleutian District 
allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access 
fishery was established as 434 metric tons (mt) by the final 2008 and 
2009 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (73 FR 10160, 
February 26, 2008), reallocation (73 FR

[[Page 58900]]

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 the 2008 TAC of Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian 
District allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited 
access fishery will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 424 mt, 
and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as incidental catch 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 Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian District by 
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
    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 Central 
Aleutian District by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited 
access fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for 
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of September 2, 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: October 3, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-23879 Filed 10-3-08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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