Closure of Pacific Cod Fishery in Western Regulatory Area in Gulf of Alaska:

Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)

Rules and Regulations

Pages 59922-59923

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

FR Doc No: 2011-24972

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679

Docket No. 101126522-0640-02

RIN 0648-XA729

Pacific Cod by Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels Harvesting

Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component 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 directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-

American Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 25, 2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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. Regulations governing sideboard protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR part 680.

The 2011 Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,747 metric tons (mt), as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (75 FR 11111,

March 1, 2011).

Page 59923

In accordance with Sec. 680.22(e)(2)(i), the Administrator, Alaska

Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2011

Pacific cod sideboard limit established for non-AFA crab vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the

Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the

Regional Administrator is establishing a sideboard directed fishing allowance of 1,700 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 47 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 680.22(e)(3), the Regional Administrator finds that this sideboard directed fishing allowance has been reached.

Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits harvesting

Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western

Regulatory Area of the GOA.

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 sideboard directed fishing closure of Pacific cod for non-AFA crab vessels that are subject to sideboard limits harvesting

Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component 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 September 22, 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. 680.22 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Dated: September 23, 2011.

Steven Thur,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine

Fisheries Service.

FR Doc. 2011-24972 Filed 9-23-11; 4:15 pm

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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