[Federal Register: July 21, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 139)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43535-43536]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jy04-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 648
[Docket No. 040112010-4114-02; I.D. 061004C]
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE)
Multispecies Fishery; Georges Bank (GB) Cod Hook Sector (Sector)
Operations Plan
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notification of Approval of Sector Operations Plan and
Allocation of GB Cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC).
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces approval of an Operations Plan and Sector
Contract titled ``Georges Bank Cod Hook Sector Operations Plan and
Agreement'' (Sector Agreement), and the associated allocation of GB
cod, consistent with regulations implementing Amendment 13 to the NE
Multispecies Fishery
[[Page 43536]]
Management Plan (FMP). The intent is to allow regulated harvest of
groundfish by the Sector, consistent with the objectives of the FMP.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Warren, Fishery Policy Analyst,
(978) 281-9347, fax (978) 281-9135, e-mail Thomas.Warren@NOAA.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final rule implementing Amendment 13 to
the FMP authorized the allocation of up to 20 percent of the annual GB
cod TAC to the GB Cod Hook Sector. NMFS provided interested parties an
opportunity to comment on the proposed Sector Agreement through
notification published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2004 (69 FR
34335); additional background and details of the Sector Agreement are
contained in that notification and are not repeated here. One comment
was received, which urged conservative fishery management, but which
was not specifically directed to the proposed Sector Agreement.
After consideration of the proposed Sector Agreement and the
comment received, NMFS has concluded that the Sector Agreement, which
contains the Sector Contract and Operations Plan, is consistent with
the goals of the FMP and other applicable law and is in compliance with
the regulations governing the development and operation of a sector as
specified under 50 CFR 648.87.
There are 58 members of the approved Sector. As specified in
Amendment 13, the Sector's allocation of GB cod has been determined by
dividing the sum of the total landings of GB cod by the Sector members
for the fishing years 1996 through 2001 (when fishing with jigs,
demersal longline, or handgear), by the sum of the total accumulated
landings of GB cod harvested by all NE multispecies vessels for the
same time period. Based on the landings history of the 58 Sector
members, the approved Sector TAC of GB cod is 371 mt, which is 12.587
percent of the total GB cod TAC. Letters of Authorization will be
issued to each member of the Sector exempting them, conditional upon
their compliance with the Sector Agreement, from the GB cod possession
restrictions and the requirements of the Gulf of Maine trip limit
exemption program, limits on the number of hooks, and the GB Seasonal
Closure Area, as specified in Sec. Sec. 648.86(b), 648.80(a)(4)(v),
and 648.81(g), respectively.
Classification
This action is required by 50 CFR part 648 and is exempt from
review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 15, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16586 Filed 7-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S