[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13857-13858]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6840]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021212306-2306-01; I.D. 031703B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical 
Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 24 hours. This action is 
necessary to fully use the B season allowance of the total allowable 
catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 610.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 18, 2003, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 19, 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.
    NMFS closed the B season directed fishery for pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 of the GOA under Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 
11, 2003 (68 FR 11994, March 13, 2003).
    NMFS has determined that, approximately 1,500 mt of pollock remain 
in the B season directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance 
with Sec.  679.25(a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize 
the B season allowance of pollock TAC specified for Statistical Area 
610, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed 
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. In accordance 
with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that 
this directed fishing allowance will be reached after 24 hours. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 19, 
2003.

[[Page 13858]]

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 opening of the fishery, not allow the full utilization 
of the B season allowance of the pollock 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: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 17, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6840 Filed 3-18-03; 3:52 pm]
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