[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48417-48418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18736]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 011218304-1304-01; I.D. 071902B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic 
Shelf Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of 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 pelagic shelf 
rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 total allowable 
catch (TAC) of pelagic shelf rockfish in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 21, 2002, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2002.

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 2002 TAC of pelagic shelf rockfish for the Central Regulatory 
Area was established as 3,480 metric tons (mt) by an emergency rule 
implementing 2002 harvest specifications and associated management 
measures for the groundfish fisheries off Alaska (67 FR 956, January 8, 
2002 and 67 FR 34860, May 16, 2002).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2002 TAC 
for pelagic shelf rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area will be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 3,450 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 30 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish 
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be 
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pelagic 
shelf rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
    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 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

[[Page 48418]]

contrary to the public interest. This requirement is contrary to the 
public interest as it would delay the closure of the fishery, lead to 
exceeding the TAC, and therefore reduce the public's ability to use and 
enjoy the fishery resource.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: July 19, 2002.
Virginia M. Fay,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-18736 Filed 7-19-02; 3:35 pm]
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