Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Directed Fishing With Trawl Gear by American Fisheries Act Catcher Processors in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 17111 [E9-8510]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 70 / Tuesday, April 14, 2009 / Rules and Regulations how and when they can fish for cod, such as trip limits and restrictions on the number of hooks fished. Under the common pool rules implemented by FW 42 (e.g., differential DAS counting) and Amendment 13 (restrictive daily trip limits for cod), it is likely that Fixed Gear Sector vessels would experience revenue losses in comparison to the proposed action. It is more likely under the No Action alternative that disruption to the Chatham and Harwichport communities would occur. A copy of this analysis is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES). Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency shall publish one or more guides to assist small entities in complying with the rule, and shall designate such publications as ‘‘small entity compliance guides.’’ The agency shall explain the actions a small entity is required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. As part of this rulemaking process, a letter to Fixed Gear Sector members that also serves as a small entity compliance guide (the guide) was prepared. Copies of this final rule are available from the Regional Administrator. The guide and this final rule will be available upon request. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 8, 2009. John Oliver, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–8508 Filed 4–13–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 0810141351–9087–02] RIN 0648–XO63 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Directed Fishing With Trawl Gear by American Fisheries Act Catcher Processors in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 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. VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:32 Apr 13, 2009 Jkt 217001 SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing with trawl gear, other than pelagic trawl gear for walleye pollock, by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher processors in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the sideboard limit of the 2009 bycatch allowance of red king crab in Zone 1 specified for AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 7, 2009, though 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269. 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 sideboard limit of the 2009 bycatch allowance of red king crab in Zone 1 specified for the AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI is 1,231 crab as established by the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (74 FR 7359, February 17, 2009). In accordance with § 679.64(a)(2) and (3), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the sideboard limit of red king crab in Zone 1 specified for the AFA catcher processors in the BSAI will be caught. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing with trawl gear in Zone 1, other than pelagic trawl gear for walleye pollock, by AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI. 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 directed fishing PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 17111 with trawl gear, other than pelagic trawl gear for walleye pollock, 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 April 6, 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 § 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 8, 2009. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–8510 Filed 4–13–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 0910091344–9056–02] RIN 0648–XO32 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure. SUMMARY: NMFS is reopening directed fishing for pollock in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for the West Yakutat District of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 8, 2009, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2009. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., April 28, 2009. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. You may submit comments, identified by RIN 0648– XO32, by any one of the following methods: E:\FR\FM\14APR1.SGM 14APR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 14, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 17111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8510]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0810141351-9087-02]
RIN 0648-XO63


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Directed 
Fishing With Trawl Gear by American Fisheries Act Catcher Processors in 
Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing with trawl gear, other 
than pelagic trawl gear for walleye pollock, by American Fisheries Act 
(AFA) trawl catcher processors in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the sideboard limit of the 2009 bycatch 
allowance of red king crab in Zone 1 specified for AFA trawl catcher 
processors in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 7, 2009, 
though 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.

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 sideboard limit of the 2009 bycatch allowance of red king crab 
in Zone 1 specified for the AFA trawl catcher processors in the BSAI is 
1,231 crab 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.  679.64(a)(2) and (3), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 
sideboard limit of red king crab in Zone 1 specified for the AFA 
catcher processors in the BSAI will be caught. Therefore, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing with trawl gear in Zone 1, other than 
pelagic trawl gear for walleye pollock, by AFA trawl catcher processors 
in the BSAI.

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 directed fishing with trawl gear, other than 
pelagic trawl gear for walleye pollock, 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 April 6, 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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 8, 2009.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-8510 Filed 4-13-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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