Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska, 19459 [E9-9821]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 29, 2009 / Rules and Regulations quota and the percent allocated to each state are described in § 648.100. The final rule implementing Amendment 5 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, which was published on December 17, 1993 (58 FR 65936), provided a mechanism for summer flounder quota to be transferred from one state to another. Two or more states, under mutual agreement and with the concurrence of the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), can transfer or combine summer flounder commercial quota under § 648.100(d). The Regional Administrator is required to consider the criteria set forth in § 648.100(d)(3) in the evaluation of requests for quota transfers or combinations. North Carolina has agreed to transfer 14,950 lb (6,781 kg) of its 2009 commercial quota to Virginia to cover the summer flounder landings of one North Carolina vessel granted safe harbor in Virginia due to mechanical issues on February 26, 2009. In addition, Virginia has agreed to transfer 9,530 lb (4,241 kg) of its 2009 commercial quota to New Jersey to cover the summer flounder landings of one Virginia vessel granted safe harbor in New Jersey due to mechanical issues on February 27, 2009. The Regional Administrator has determined that the criteria set forth in § 648.100(d)(3) have been met. The revised quotas for calendar year 2009 are: North Carolina, 2,879,042 lb (1,305,911 kg); Virginia, 2,346,474 lb (1,064,343 kg); and New Jersey, 1,806,476 lb (819,404 kg). Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 24, 2009. Kristen C. Koch, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–9805 Filed 4–24–09; 4:15 pm] tjames on PRODPC75 with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:08 Apr 28, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 09100091344–0956–02] RIN 0648–XO93 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Deep–Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear 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 species that comprise the deep–water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deep–water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 23, 2009, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deep–water species fishery in the GOA is 300 metric tons as established by the final 2009 and 2010 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (74 FR 7333, February 17, 2009), for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2009, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 2009. In accordance with § 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 19459 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep–water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep–water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups that comprise the deep– water species fishery include sablefish, rockfish, deep–water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder. This closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Pilot Program for the Central 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 the deep–water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in 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 April 21, 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 24, 2009. Kristen C. Koch Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–9821 Filed 4–28–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S E:\FR\FM\29APR1.SGM 29APR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 19459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9821]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 09100091344-0956-02]
RIN 0648-XO93


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water 
Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

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 for species that comprise 
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal 
apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for 
the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 23, 2009, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch 
allowance specified for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA is 
300 metric tons as established by the final 2009 and 2010 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (74 FR 7333, February 17, 
2009), for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2009, through 1200 
hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 2009.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of 
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-
water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS 
is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep-water species fishery by 
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups 
that comprise the deep-water species fishery include sablefish, 
rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and arrowtooth flounder. This 
closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the 
cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Pilot Program for the Central 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 the deep-water species fishery by vessels 
using trawl gear in 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 April 21, 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 24, 2009.
Kristen C. Koch
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-9821 Filed 4-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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