Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; “Other Rockfish” in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 59923 [2011-24977]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 188 / Wednesday, September 28, 2011 / Rules and Regulations In accordance with § 680.22(e)(2)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2011 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a sideboard directed fishing allowance of 1,700 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 47 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 680.22(e)(3), the Regional Administrator finds that this sideboard directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area 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. emcdonald on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES Classification Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. 16:23 Sep 27, 2011 [FR Doc. 2011–24972 Filed 9–23–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 Jkt 223001 RIN 0648–XA734 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ‘‘Other Rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. AGENCY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Island subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 24, 2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907–586–7269. 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 2011 TAC of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI is 500 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11139, March 1, 2011) and apportionment of non-specified reserves (76 FR 53840, August 30, 2011). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC of ‘‘other PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4700 rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that ‘‘other rockfish’’ caught in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI be treated as prohibited species in accordance with § 679.21(b). ‘‘Other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI means all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern, shortraker and rougheye rockfish. Classification [Docket No. 101126521–0640–2] SUMMARY: 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 sideboard directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of 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 September 22, 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 § 680.22 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. VerDate Mar<15>2010 Dated: September 23, 2011. Steven Thur, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 59923 Sfmt 9990 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 prohibiting the retention of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in the Aleutian Island subarea of 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 September 22, 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 § 679.20 and § 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Steven Thur, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–24977 Filed 9–23–11; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM 28SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 59923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24977]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 101126521-0640-2]
RIN 0648-XA734


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands Subarea 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 retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Aleutian Island subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2011 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of ``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Island 
subarea of the BSAI has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 24, 
2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7269.

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 2011 TAC of ``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Island subarea 
of the BSAI is 500 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 
and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11139, 
March 1, 2011) and apportionment of non-specified reserves (76 FR 
53840, August 30, 2011).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC 
of ``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that ``other rockfish'' 
caught in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI be treated as 
prohibited species in accordance with Sec.  679.21(b).
    ``Other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Island subarea of the BSAI means 
all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, 
northern, shortraker and rougheye rockfish.

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 prohibiting the retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Aleutian Island subarea of 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 September 22, 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.  679.20 and Sec.  679.21 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Steven Thur,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24977 Filed 9-23-11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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