Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska:

Federal Register: September 2, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 170)

Rules and Regulations

Page 53873-53874

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

DOCID:fr02se10-17

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679

Docket No. 0910131362-0087-02

RIN 0648-XY70

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific

Ocean Perch for Vessels Participating in the Rockfish Entry Level

Fishery 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; closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch for vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the

Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2010 total allowable catch (TAC) of

Pacific ocean perch allocated to vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 2010, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.

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 2010 TAC of Pacific ocean perch allocated to vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the

Page 53874

Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 512 metric tons as established by the final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish in the

GOA (75 FR 11749, March 12, 2010). Section 679.83(a)(2) allows trawl or longline gear vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery to harvest any unused Pacific ocean perch after 1200 hrs, A.l.t.,

September 1, 2010.

As of September 1, 2010, 94 mt remains in the combined entry level longline and entry level trawl allocations of Pacific ocean perch. In accordance with Sec. 679.83(a)(3), the Administrator, Alaska Region,

NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the remaining 2010

TAC of Pacific ocean perch allocated to vessels participating in the entry level longline rockfish and entry level trawl fisheries in the

Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is insufficient to support directed fishing. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch for longline and trawl vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) and Sec. 679.81(h)(5) apply at any time during a trip.

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 closure of Pacific ocean perch for vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery 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 August 27, 2010.

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: August 30, 2010.

Carrie Selberg,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine

Fisheries Service.

FR Doc. 2010-21984 Filed 8-30-10; 4:15 pm

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