[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24733]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 021212307-3037-02; I.D. 092403E]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Yellowfin 
Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2003 halibut 
bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery 
category in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 25, 
2003, through 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 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area 
(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 CFR part 679.
    The halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin 
sole fishery category in the BSAI is 886 metric tons as established by 
the final 2003 harvest specifications for Groundfish of the BSAI (68 FR 
9907, March 3, 2003).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the halibut bycatch 
allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category in 
the BSAI will be caught. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing 
for species in the yellowfin sole fishery category by vessels using 
trawl gear in the BSAI.

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 closure of the fishery, lead to exceeding the 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole 
fishery, 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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: September 24, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24733 Filed 9-25-03; 1:18 pm]
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