[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 201 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-26423]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 011218304-1304-01; I.D. 101102A]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Trawl 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 closing directed fishing for groundfish by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for directed 
fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those 
portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This action 
is necessary because the 2002 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch 
(PSC) limit specified for trawl gear in the GOA has been caught.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 13, 
2002, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228, or 
[email protected].

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 vessels using trawl gear was 
established as 2,000 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). The Administrator, Alaska Region, has determined, 
in accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(7)(i), that vessels engaged in 
directed fishing for groundfish with trawl gear in the GOA have caught 
the 2002 Pacific halibut PSC limit. Therefore, NMFS is closing the 
directed fishery for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, 
except for directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl 
gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open to directed fishing 
for pollock.
    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 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 2002 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for trawl gear in the GOA, 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: October 11, 2002.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-26423 Filed 10-11-02; 4:26 pm]
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