[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 156 (Monday, August 13, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20259]



[[Page 42455]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 010112013-1013-01; I.D. 080601A]


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: Closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of ``other 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 allocation of the ``other 
rockfish'' 2001 total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been 
achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 8, 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 
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 CFR part 679.
    The 2001 TAC allocation of ``other rockfish'' for the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as 20 metric tons (mt) by 
the Final 2001 Harvest Specifications and Associated Management 
Measures for the Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska (66 FR 7276, January 
22, 2001 and 66 FR 37167, July 17, 2001). ``Other rockfish'' in the 
Western Regulatory Area means slope rockfish and demersal shelf 
rockfish.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the allocation of the ``other 
rockfish'' TAC in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been 
achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of ``other 
rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA 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 that the need to immediately implement this action to 
prevent overharvesting the allocation of the ``other rockfish'' TAC in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA constitutes 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)(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 to prevent overharvesting 
the allocation of the ``other rockfish'' TAC for the Western Regulatory 
Area of the GOA 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: August 7, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-20259 Filed 8-8-01; 4:48 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S