Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska:

Federal Register Volume 76, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)

Rules and Regulations

Page 46208

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]

FR Doc No: 2011-19537

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679

Docket No. 101126522-0640-02

RIN 0648-XA613

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other

Rockfish'' in the Western 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 retention of ``other rockfish'' in the

Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 28, 2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.

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 2011 TAC of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 212 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11111,

March 1, 2011).

In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska

Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that ``other rockfish'' caught in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

``Other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA means slope and demersal shelf rockfish.

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 prohibiting the retention of ``other rockfish'' in the

Western 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 25, 2011.

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 Sec. 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Dated: July 28, 2011.

James P. Burgess,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine

Fisheries Service.

FR Doc. 2011-19537 Filed 7-28-11; 4:15 pm

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