[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1872]


[Federal Register: January 28, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 90899-0015; I.D. 012494A]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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

ACTION: Change in observer coverage; suspension of effectiveness.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On January 20, 1994, NMFS published a change in observer 
coverage for certain participants in the groundfish fishery of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). NMFS is suspending until 
February 13, 1994, the effectiveness of the requirement for operators 
of catcher or processor vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 
m) length overall (LOA) and less than 125 feet (38.1 m) LOA to have a 
NMFS-certified observer on board the vessel each day it is used to 
participate in a directed fishery for groundfish in statistical area 
517 during the period that the 1994 directed fishery is open for 
Pacific cod in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to 
provide adequate time for operators of catcher or processor vessels to 
comply with the new observer requirements.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective January 25, 1994, the effectiveness of the 
observer coverage requirements published January 20, 1994, at 59 FR 
3000 is suspended until 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 
13, 1994, and expires 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ellen R. Varosi, Fishery Biologist, Fisheries Management Division, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a notice in the Federal 
Register (58 FR 65574, December 15, 1993) for public review and comment 
that proposed a change in 1994 observer coverage requirements for 
vessels participating in a directed fishery for groundfish in 
statistical area 517 in the BSAI management area. A rule document 
implementing this action became effective January 13, 1994, the date of 
filing with the Office of the Federal Register (59 FR 3000, January 20, 
1994). This action requires operators of catcher or processor vessels 
equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA and less than 125 feet 
(38.1 m) LOA to have a NMFS-certified observer on board the vessel each 
day that it is used to participate in a directed fishery for groundfish 
in statistical area 517 during the period that the 1994 directed 
fishery is open for Pacific cod. Reasons for this action are set forth 
in the proposed and final Federal Register rule documents.
    The 30-day delayed effectiveness period under section 553(d)(3) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act was waived for reasons contained in 
the final rule document implementing the change in observer coverage. 
NMFS has determined that not all vessel operators had sufficient notice 
of the change in observer coverage requirements to obtain a NMFS-
certified observer prior to the January 13, 1994, effective date. 
Therefore, NMFS is suspending the effectiveness of the requirement 
until 12 noon A.l.t., February 13, 1994.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.25 and is in compliance with 
E.O. 12866. Because this action is required to provide relief to vessel 
owners who otherwise would be unable to comply with observer coverage 
requirements, it is unnecessary and not in the public interest to 
provide prior public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3). Also, because 
this action temporarily relieves a restriction, it is being made 
effective immediately without a 30-day delay in effectiveness under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(1).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 675

    Fisheries, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: January 25, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1872 Filed 1-25-94; 2:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M