[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6103]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021122286-3036-02; I.D. 030703A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 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 pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the pollock 
total allowable catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 11, 2003, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2003.

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 B season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 
of the GOA is 2,894 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2003 
harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (68 FR 9924, March 3, 
2003). In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B) the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) hereby reduces the B 
season pollock TAC by 1,228 mt, the amount of the harvest previously 
taken in excess of the A season pollock allowance in Statistical Area 
610. The B season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 is 
1,666 mt (2,894 mt minus 1,228 mt).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the B season allowance of the pollock 
TAC in Statistical Area 610 has been reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,466 mt, 
and is setting aside the remaining 200 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 pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the 
GOA.
    Maximum retainable 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 (AA), 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 TAC, 
and therefore reduce the public's ability to use and enjoy the fishery 
resource.
    The AA 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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: March 7, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6103 Filed 3-10-03; 2:27 pm]
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