[Federal Register: September 16, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 179)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55784]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16se04-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 031125292-4061-02; I.D. 090904B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of a closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully
use the 2004 C season total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified
for Statistical Area 630.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 12,
2004, through September 15, 2004.
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.
NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area
630 of the GOA under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on August 29, 2004 (69 FR
53364, September 1, 2004).
NMFS has determined that, approximately 2,168 mt of pollock remain
in the 2004 C season directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in
accordance with 679.25(a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully
utilize the 2004 C season TAC of pollock specified for Statistical Area
630, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA effective 1200
hrs, A.l.t., September 12, 2004.
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 a 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 opening of the fishery under the pollock 2004 C season
TAC in Statistical Area 630.
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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 10, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-20805 Filed 9-10-04; 3:37 pm]
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