[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 8, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16990-16991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8544]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021122286-3036-02; I.D. 040203B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska

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

[[Page 16991]]


ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 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 620 of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 3, 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 620 
of the GOA is 7,778 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 increases the B 
season pollock TAC by 1,484 mt, the amount of the A season pollock 
allowance in Statistical Area 620 that was not previously taken in the 
A season. The revised B season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical 
Area 620 is therefore 9,262 mt (7,778 mt plus 1,484 mt).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the revised 
B season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 has been 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 9,062 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 620 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, 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 B season 
allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620, 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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 2, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8544 Filed 4-3-03; 2:21 pm]
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