[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 215 (Monday, November 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 68658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28769]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

RIN 0648-BA01
[Docket No. 100804324-1265-02]


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest 
Specifications and Management Measures for the Remainder of the 2011 
Fishery

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Agency determination.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the provisions implemented in a final rule 
published on May 11, 2011, pursuant to NFMS' emergency authority under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) will 
remain in effect for the remainder of the 2011 groundfish fishery. The 
provisions included a new rebuilding plan for petrale sole, revised 
rebuilding plans for other overfished species, and revised status 
determination criteria, harvest specifications and a precautionary 
harvest control rule for assessed flatfish species. This announcement 
is required in order to maintain the current rebuilding plans, harvest 
specifications and harvest control rule for assessed flatfish species.

DATES: Effective on November 7, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Background information and documents are available from 
William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 
7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or by phone at (206) 
526-6150.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Williams, (206) 526-4646; (fax) 
(206) 526-6736; [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a final rule establishing 
harvest specifications and management measures for most species (75 FR 
27508, May 11, 2011), in part pursuant to NMFS' emergency authority 
under section 305(c) of the MSA. Specifically, that action amended 50 
CFR part 660 to establish new and revised rebuilding plans, establish 
harvest specifications consistent with those rebuilding plans and new 
flatfish harvest proxies. Further background information for that 
action is provided in the preamble text of the May 11, 2011, final rule 
and in the supporting documents for that action, and is not repeated 
here.
    Opportunity for public comment on the May 11, 2011, final rule was 
provided. One comment was received on that rule that was not relevant 
to the emergency provisions.
    Therefore, this document announces the agency determination to 
continue through December 31, 2011, the measures set forth in the May 
11, 2011, rule at Sec.  660.40 and Table 2a to part 660, subpart C.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. and 16 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.

    Dated: November 2, 2011.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-28769 Filed 11-4-11; 8:45 am]
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