[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44665-44666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19360]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021122286-3036-02; I.D. 072303B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish by 
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of sablefish by vessels using 
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 
NMFS is requiring that catch of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear 
in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and 
discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary 
because the allocation of the sablefish 2003 total allowable catch 
(TAC) assigned to trawl gear in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 26, 2003, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Groundfish Fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the

[[Page 44666]]

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 2003 TAC of sablefish for vessels using trawl gear in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as 1,288 metric tons 
(mt) by the final 2003 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA 
(68 FR 9924, March 3, 2003).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the allocation of the sablefish TAC 
assigned to trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec.  
679.21(b).

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 prohibition of retention, lead to exceeding the 2003 
TAC of sablefish assigned to vessels using trawl gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA, 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 Sec.  679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: July 23, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19360 Filed 7-25-03; 2:05 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S