[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1219]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 031126297-3297-01; I.D. 011304D]
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: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the first seasonal allowance of the
pollock interim total allowable catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 630 of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 21,
2004, until superseded by the notice of Final 2004 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA, which will be published in
the Federal Register.
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.
The first seasonal allowance of the pollock interim TAC in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 2,274 metric tons (mt) as
established by the interim 2004 harvest specifications for groundfish
of the GOA (68 FR 67964, December 5, 2003).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the first
seasonal allowance of the pollock interim TAC in Statistical Area 630
will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,000 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 274 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 630 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 impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent the Agency from
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and
would delay the closure of the pollock fishery under the interim 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: January 14, 2004.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1219 Filed 1-20-04; 8:45 am]
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