[Federal Register: March 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 49)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11994]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr03-14]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 021122286-3036-02; I.D. 030703A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the pollock
total allowable catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 11, 2003,
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 B season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610
of the GOA is 2,894 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2003
harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (68 FR 9924, March 3,
2003). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B) the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) hereby reduces the B
season pollock TAC by 1,228 mt, the amount of the harvest previously
taken in excess of the A season pollock allowance in Statistical Area
610. The B season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 is
1,666 mt (2,894 mt minus 1,228 mt).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the B season allowance of the pollock
TAC in Statistical Area 610 has been reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,466 mt,
and is setting aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed
fishing allowance will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the
GOA.
Maximum retainable amounts may be found in the regulations at Sec.
679.20(e) and (f).
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 contrary to the
public interest. This requirement is contrary to the public interest as
it would delay the closure of the fishery, lead to exceeding the TAC,
and therefore reduce the public's ability to use and enjoy the fishery
resource.
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: March 7, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6103 Filed 3-10-03; 2:27 pm]
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