Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone— Rockfish,

[Federal Register: August 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 149)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 43990-43991]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr03au06-15]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216044-6044-01; I.D. 072806D]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other Rockfish'' in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; prohibition of retention.

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that catch of ``other rockfish'' in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the 2006 total allowable catch (TAC) of ``other rockfish'' in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 31, 2006, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 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 2006 TAC of ``other rockfish'' in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 386 metric tons as established by the 2006 and 2007 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (71 FR 10870, March 3, 2006). ``Other rockfish'' includes slope rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish.

In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of ``other rockfish'' in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

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 NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the prohibition of retention of ``other rockfish'' in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 28, 2006.

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

[[Page 43991]]

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: July 28, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 06-6664 Filed 7-31-06; 2:20 pm]

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