Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod for American Fisheries Act Catcher Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 10840 [E9-5472]

Download as PDF 10840 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 48 / Friday, March 13, 2009 / Rules and Regulations After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 0810141351–9087–02] RIN 0648–XN91 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod for American Fisheries Act Catcher Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area yshivers on PROD1PC66 with RULES AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2009 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 6, 2009, though 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 2009 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI is 2,719 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (74 FR 7359, February 17, 2009). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the A season allowance of the 2009 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI. VerDate Nov<24>2008 13:40 Mar 12, 2009 Jkt 217001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 6, 2009, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 10, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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 A season allowance of the 2009 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is 4,365 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (74 FR 7333, February 17, 2009). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the A season allowance of the 2009 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 4,300 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 65 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. 50 CFR Part 679 Classification 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 Pacific cod by AFA trawl catcher processors in 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 March 5, 2009. 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: March 9, 2009. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–5472 Filed 3–10–09; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [Docket No. 09100091344–9056–02] RIN 0648–XN92 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 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 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 E:\FR\FM\13MRR1.SGM 13MRR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 48 (Friday, March 13, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5472]



[[Page 10840]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0810141351-9087-02]
RIN 0648-XN91


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
for American Fisheries Act Catcher Processors Using Trawl Gear 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; closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher processors in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary 
to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2009 Pacific cod 
total allowable catch (TAC) specified for AFA trawl catcher processors 
in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 6, 2009, 
though 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 2009 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA 
trawl catcher processors in the BSAI is 2,719 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (74 FR 7359, February 17, 2009).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the A season allowance of the 
2009 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA trawl catcher processors in the 
BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Pacific cod by AFA trawl catcher processors in 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 Pacific cod by AFA trawl catcher processors 
in 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 March 5, 2009.
    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: March 9, 2009.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-5472 Filed 3-10-09; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.