[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 153 (Friday, August 8, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-20279]



[[Page 47266]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021122286-3036-02; I.D. 080103B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker/
Rougheye Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area 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 retention of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is 
requiring that catch of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 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 shortraker/rougheye rockfish 2003 total allowable 
catch (TAC) in this area has been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 6, 2003, 
until 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 the Groundfish Fishery 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 allocation of the shortraker/rougheye rockfish TAC in the 
Central Regulatory Area was established as 840 metric tons 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 shortraker/
rougheye rockfish TAC in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish 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 TAC 
of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 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: August 5, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-20279 Filed 8-5-03; 3:10 pm]
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