Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska, 55276 [2011-22709]
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55276
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 173 / Wednesday, September 7, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 101126522–0640–02]
RIN 0648–XA680
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive
Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-Water
Species Fishery by Vessels Using
Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for species that comprise the
shallow-water species fishery by vessels
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary because
the fourth seasonal apportionment of
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the shallow-water species
fishery in the GOA has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), September 3, 2011, through
1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2011.
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 MagnusonStevens 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 fourth seasonal apportionment of
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the shallow-water species
fishery in the GOA is 150 metric tons as
established by the final 2011 and 2012
harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA (76 FR 11111, March 11, 2011),
for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t.,
September 1, 2011, through 1200 hrs,
A.l.t., October 1, 2011.
In accordance with § 679.21(d)(7)(i),
the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, has determined that the fourth
seasonal apportionment of the Pacific
halibut bycatch allowance specified for
the trawl shallow-water species fishery
in the GOA has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for the shallow-water
species fishery by vessels using trawl
gear in the GOA. The species and
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:02 Sep 06, 2011
Jkt 223001
species groups that comprise the
shallow-water species fishery are
pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water
flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel,
skates, and ‘‘other species.’’ This
prohibition does not apply to fishing for
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl
gear in those portions of the GOA open
to directed fishing for pollock. This
inseason action does not apply to
vessels fishing under a cooperative
quota permit in the cooperative fishery
in the Rockfish 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.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 101126521–0640–02]
RIN 0648–XA683
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Octopus in the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
AGENCY:
NMFS is prohibiting retention
of octopus in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands (BSAI). This action is
necessary because the 2011 total
allowable catch of octopus in the BSAI
has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2011, through
2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.
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 2011 total allowable catch (TAC)
of octopus in the BSAI is 150 metric
tons as established by the final 2011 and
2012 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the BSAI (76 FR 11139,
March 1, 2011) and an apportionment
from the non-specified reserve of
groundfish (76 FR 17360, March 29,
2011).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator), has
determined that the 2011 TAC of
octopus in the BSAI has been reached.
Therefore, NMFS is requiring that
octopus caught in the BSAI be treated as
prohibited species in accordance with
§ 679.21(b).
SUMMARY:
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 shallow-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 August 30, 2011.
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: August 31, 2011.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–22709 Filed 8–31–11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
PO 00000
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Classification
This action responds to the best
available information recently obtained
from the fishery. The Assistant
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
Frm 00064
Fmt 4700
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07SER1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22709]
[[Page 55276]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 101126522-0640-02]
RIN 0648-XA680
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-
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 shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the fourth
seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been
reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 3,
2011, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2011.
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 fourth seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch
allowance specified for the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA is
150 metric tons as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11111, March 11, 2011),
for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2011, through 1200 hrs,
A.l.t., October 1, 2011.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS, has determined that the fourth seasonal apportionment of
the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl shallow-
water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. Consequently, NMFS
is prohibiting directed fishing for the shallow-water species fishery
by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups
that comprise the shallow-water species fishery are pollock, Pacific
cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates, and
``other species.'' This prohibition does not apply to fishing for
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the
GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This inseason action does not
apply to vessels fishing under a cooperative quota permit in the
cooperative fishery in the Rockfish 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 shallow-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 August 30, 2011.
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: August 31, 2011.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-22709 Filed 8-31-11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P