Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock for American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessels in the Inshore Open Access Fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 44927 [2010-18781]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 146 / Friday, July 30, 2010 / Rules and Regulations described regulatory actions was given, prior to the date the action was effective, by telephone hotline number 206–526–6667 and 800–662–9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 kHz. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Classification RIN 0648–XX93 The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that good cause exists for this notification to be issued without affording prior notice and opportunity for public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) because such notification would be impracticable. As previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory actions was provided to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (74 FR 20610, May 5, 2009; 75 FR 24482, May 5, 2010), the West Coast Salmon Plan, and regulations implementing the West Coast Salmon Plan 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment was impracticable because NMFS and the state agencies had insufficient time to provide for prior notice and the opportunity for public comment between the time the fishery catch and effort data were collected to determine the extent of the fisheries, and the time the fishery modifications had to be implemented in order to ensure that fisheries are managed based on the best available scientific information, thus allowing fishers access to the available fish at the time the fish were available while ensuring that quotas are not exceeded. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30– day delay in effectiveness required under U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of these actions would allow fishing at levels inconsistent with the goals of the Salmon Fishery Management Plan and the current management measures. These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock for American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessels in the Inshore Open Access Fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with RULES Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 27, 2010. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010–18800 Filed 7–29–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:17 Jul 29, 2010 Jkt 220001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 0910131363–0087–02] National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher vessels participating in the inshore open access fishery in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2010 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to the inshore open access fishery in the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 27, 2010, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 1, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 2010 Bering Sea pollock TAC allocated to the AFA inshore open access fishery in the BSAI is 2,762 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (75 FR 11778, March 12, 2010), and further described at https:// alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ sustainablefisheries/afa/ 10bsaicoopallocations.pdf. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 44927 NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the B season allowance of pollock TAC allocated to the AFA inshore open access fishery, which is catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the Bering Sea subarea, has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing the B season allowance of pollock TAC as the directed fishing allowance. Consequently, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), since this directed fishing allowance has been reached, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by AFA trawl catcher vessels participating in the inshore open access fishery in the Bering Sea subarea. 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 directing fishing for pollock by AFA trawl catcher vessels participating in the inshore open access fishery in the Bering Sea subarea. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 26, 2010. 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: July 27, 2010. James P. Burgess, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2010–18781 Filed 7–27–10; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\30JYR1.SGM 30JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 146 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18781]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0910131363-0087-02]
RIN 0648-XX93


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock for 
American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessels in the Inshore Open Access 
Fishery 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.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by American 
Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher vessels participating in the inshore 
open access fishery in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the 2010 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) 
allocated to the inshore open access fishery in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 27, 2010, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 1, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 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 2010 Bering Sea pollock TAC allocated to the AFA inshore open 
access fishery in the BSAI is 2,762 metric tons (mt) as established by 
the final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish in the 
BSAI (75 FR 11778, March 12, 2010), and further described at https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/afa/10bsaicoopallocations.pdf.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the B season 
allowance of pollock TAC allocated to the AFA inshore open access 
fishery, which is catching pollock for processing by the inshore 
component in the Bering Sea subarea, has been reached. Therefore, the 
Regional Administrator is establishing the B season allowance of 
pollock TAC as the directed fishing allowance. Consequently, in 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), since this directed fishing 
allowance has been reached, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for 
pollock by AFA trawl catcher vessels participating in the inshore open 
access fishery in the Bering Sea subarea.
    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 directing fishing for pollock by AFA trawl 
catcher vessels participating in the inshore open access fishery in the 
Bering Sea subarea. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time 
for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of July 26, 2010.
    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: July 27, 2010.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18781 Filed 7-27-10; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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