[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 70 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17750-17751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8930]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021122286-3036-02; I.D. 040703C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
the West Yakutat District 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 the West 
Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary 
to prevent exceeding the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified 
for the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 7, 2003, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(c)(3)(ii), the pollock TAC 
specified for the West Yakutat District of the GOA is 1,078 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(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the pollock 
TAC specified for the West Yakutat District of the GOA will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 1,058 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 20 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 the West Yakutat District 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 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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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


[[Page 17751]]


    Dated: April 7, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8930 Filed 4-8-03; 4:57 pm]
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