Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska:
Federal Register: November 18, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 222)
Rules and Regulations
Page 70614-70615
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr18no10-9
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679
Docket No. 0910131363-0087-02
RIN 0648-XA048
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Greater Than or Equal to 60 Feet (18.3 Meters)
Length Overall Using Pot Gear 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.
Page 70615
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2010
Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) specified for pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 15, 2010, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
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 2010 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA in the BSAI is 12,591 metric tons as established by the final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (75 FR 11778,
March 12, 2010).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2010 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m)
LOA in the BSAI.
After the effective date 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 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 cod by pot catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of November 12, 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: November 15, 2010.
Brian W. Parker,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
FR Doc. 2010-29130 Filed 11-15-10; 4:15 pm
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
