[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5585-5586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2569]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021212306-2306-01; I.D. 012903G]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Offshore 
Component 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 Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 2003 total allowable 
catch (TAC) of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod 
for processing by the offshore component of the Central Regulatory Area 
of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 1, 
2003, until superseded by the notice of Final 2003 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA, which will be published in 
the Federal Register.

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 interim 2003 TAC of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching 
Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Central 
Regulatory Area is 1,302 metric tons (mt) as established by the interim 
2003 harvest specifications of groundfish for the GOA (67 FR 78733, 
December 26, 2002).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the interim 
2003 TAC of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the offshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,252 mt, and is setting 
aside the remaining 50 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 
Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
offshore component 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 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 interim 
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

[[Page 5586]]

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: January 30, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2569 Filed 1-30-03; 2:55 pm]
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