[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 23196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11546]



[[Page 23196]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 010112013-1013-01; I.D. 050101A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sharpchin 
and Northern Rockfish in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Management Area

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

ACTION:  Closure.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS is prohibiting retention of sharpchin and northern 
rockfish in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catch of 
sharpchin and northern rockfish in this area be treated in the same 
manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of 
injury. This action is necessary because the amount of the 2001 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of sharpchin and northern rockfish in this area 
has been achieved.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 4, 2001, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish 
Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 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 amount of the 2001 TAC of sharpchin and northern rockfish in 
the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI was established as 16 metric tons by 
the Final 2001 Harvest Specifications and Associated Management 
Measures for the Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska (66 FR 7276, January 
22, 2001).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 2001 TAC for 
sharpchin and northern rockfish in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI 
has been achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
sharpchin and northern rockfish in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI 
be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, finds the need to immediately implement this action because the 
fact that the amount of the 2001 TAC for sharpchin and northern 
rockfish in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI has been achieved 
constitutes good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice 
opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 50 CFR 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A), as such procedures 
would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Similarly, 
the need to implement these measures in a timely fashion because the 
amount of the 2001 TAC for sharpchin and northern rockfish in the 
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI has been achieved constitutes good cause 
to find that the effective date of this action cannot be delayed for 30 
days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date 
is hereby waived.
    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: May 2, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-11546 Filed 5-3-01; 2:39 pm]
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