[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-25671]
[[Page 64891]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 121018563-3148-02]
RIN 0648-XC946
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the
Central Aleutian district (CAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in this area
allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access
fishery.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 25,
2013, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 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 50 CFR part 679.
The 2013 TAC of Atka mackerel, in the CAI, allocated to vessels
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was established
as a directed fishing allowance of 664 metric tons by the final 2013
and 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (78 FR
13813, March 1, 2013).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka
mackerel in the CAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited
access fishery.
After the effective dates of this closure, the maximum retainable
amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. The Acting 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 a requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This requirement is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest as it would prevent
NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely
fashion and would delay the closure of the Atka mackerel directed
fishery in the CAI for vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited
access fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became
available as of October 24, 2013. 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 Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 25, 2013.
Kelly Denit,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-25671 Filed 10-25-13; 11:15 am]
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