[Federal Register: February 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 34)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8153-8154]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20fe03-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 021212307-2307-01; I.D. 021303C]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish
by Vessels Using Non-Pelagic Trawl Gear in the Red King Crab Savings
Subarea
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish with non-
pelagic trawl gear in the red king crab savings subarea (RKCSS) of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 2003 red king crab
prohibited species catch (PSC) limit that is specified for the RKCSS of
the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 14,
2003, until superseded by the notice of Final 2003 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI, which will be published in
the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 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 CFR part 679.
The interim 2003 red king crab PSC limit that is specified for the
RKCSS of the BSAI is 5,231 animals as established by the interim 2003
harvest specifications for Groundfish of the BSAI (67 FR 78739,
December 26, 2002).
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(ii)(B), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the interim 2003
red
[[Page 8154]]
king crab PSC limit specified for the RKCSS will be caught.
Consequently, NMFS is closing the RKCSS to directed fishing for
groundfish with non-pelagic trawl gear.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,
NOAA, 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 interim
2003 red king crab PSC limit, and therefore reduce the public's ability
to use and enjoy the fishery resource.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, 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: February 14, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4103 Filed 2-14-03; 2:17 pm]
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