[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22265]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 010112013-1013-01; I.D. 083001B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fisheries by Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for 
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the Southeast Outside District. 
This action is necessary because the Pacific halibut prohibited species 
catch (PSC) limit specified for hook-and-line gear targeting groundfish 
other than sablefish in the GOA and demersal shelf rockfish in the 
Southeast Outside District has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 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 
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 Pacific halibut PSC limit for groundfish included in the other 
hook-and-line fishery, which is defined at Sec. 679.21 (d)(4)(iii)(C), 
was established by the Final 2001 Harvest Specifications and Associated 
Management Measures for the Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska (66 FR 
7276, January 22, 2001) and subsequent adjustments (66 FR 17087, March 
29, 2001 and 66 FR 37167, July 17, 2001) as 290 metric tons (mt).
    The other hook-and-line fishery includes all groundfish except 
sablefish in the GOA and demersal shelf rockfish in the Southeast 
Outside District.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21 (d)(7)(ii), NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for groundfish other than sablefish in the GOA or 
demersal shelf rockfish in the Southeast Outside District by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec.  679.20 (e) and (f).

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 because 
the Pacific halibut hook-and-line PSC limit has been reached 
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 
because the Pacific halibut hook-and-line PSC limit has been reached 
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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: August 30, 2001.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-22265 Filed 8-30-01; 1:58 pm]
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