[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67964-67970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30282]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 031126297-3297-01; I.D. 111703D]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of 
Alaska; Interim 2004 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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

ACTION: Interim final rule.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS issues interim 2004 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts 
for each category of groundfish, American Fisheries Act (AFA) sideboard 
amounts, and prohibited species catch (PSC) amounts for the groundfish 
fisheries of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The intended effect is to 
conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA.

DATES: The interim harvest specifications are effective from 0001 hrs, 
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 2004, until the effective date 
of the final 2004 harvest specifications for GOA groundfish, which will 
be published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Assessment/Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis (EA/

[[Page 67965]]

IFRA) prepared for this action, the final 2002 Stock Assessment and 
Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) report, dated November 2002, and the final 
2003 SAFE report, dated November 2003, is available from the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, 
Anchorage, AK 99501-2252, telephone (907) 271-2809 or from its homepage 
at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, (907) 481-1780 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679 implementing the Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the GOA govern the groundfish 
fisheries in the GOA. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) prepared the FMP, and NMFS approved it under the authority of 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act). General regulations that also pertain to the U.S. 
fisheries appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600.
    The Council met in October 2003 to review scientific information 
concerning groundfish stocks including the 2002 SAFE report and the EA 
(see ADDRESSES) and recommended proposed 2004 specifications. The 
Council recommended and NMFS proposed a total acceptable biological 
catch (ABC) of 409,690 mt and a TAC of 227,797 mt for the 2004 fishing 
year. The proposed TAC amounts for each species were based on the best 
available biological and socioeconomic information.
    Under Sec.  679.20(c)(1)(ii), NMFS published in the Federal 
Register proposed harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA for 
the 2004 fishing year published elsewhere in this issue. That document 
contains a detailed discussion of the proposed 2004 TACs, groundfish 
reserves, apportionments of TAC, ABC amounts, overfishing levels 
(OFLs), PSC amounts and apportionments, of the GOA groundfish fishery.
    This action provides interim harvest specifications and 
apportionments thereof for the 2004 fishing year that will become 
available on January 1, 2004, and remain in effect until superseded by 
the final 2004 harvest specifications. Background information 
concerning the 2004 groundfish harvest specification process, on which 
this interim action is based, is provided in the above mentioned 
proposed specification document.

Establishment of Interim TACs

    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(c)(2)(i) require that one-fourth of 
each proposed TAC and apportionment thereof (not including the reserves 
and the first seasonal allowance of pollock and Pacific cod) and one-
fourth of the halibut PSC amounts become effective at 0001 hours, 
A.l.t., January 1, on an interim basis and remain in effect until 
superseded by the final harvest specifications. As stated in the 
proposed specifications publication published elsewhere in this issue, 
no harvest of groundfish is authorized before the effective date of 
this action implementing the interim specifications.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.20(a)(6)(i) and (ii) allocate 100 percent 
of the pollock TAC to vessels catching pollock for processing by the 
inshore component, 90 percent of the Pacific cod TAC to vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 
percent to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore 
component.
    The reserves for the GOA are 20 percent of the TAC amounts for 
pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish species, and the ``other species'' 
category (Sec.  679.20(b)(2)). The GOA groundfish TAC amounts have been 
utilized fully since 1987, and NMFS expects this trend to continue in 
2004. Therefore, NMFS has proposed reapportioning all the reserves to 
the TAC. The interim TAC amounts contained in Table 1 reflect the 
reapportionment of reserves to the TAC.

Interim 2004 GOA Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Apportionments

    Table 1 provides interim TAC amounts, the first seasonal allowance 
of pollock in the combined Western and Central Regulatory Areas, the 
first seasonal allowance of Pacific cod in the Western and Central 
Regulatory Areas, interim TAC allocations of Pacific cod to the inshore 
and offshore components, and interim sablefish TAC apportionments to 
hook-and-line and trawl gear. These interim TAC amounts and 
apportionments become effective at 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2004.

  Table 1.--Interim 2004 TAC Amounts of Groundfish for the Combined Western/Central (W/C), Western (W), Central
 (C), and Eastern (E) Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat (WYK), Southeast Outside (SEO), and Gulfwide (GW)
                                    Districts of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 1,2
[The first seasonal allowances of pollock in the Combined W/C Regulatory Areas, the first seasonal allowances of
   Pacific cod. Interim sablefish TAC apportionments to hook-and-line (H/L) and trawl (TRW) gear. Interim TAC
                                amounts have been rounded to nearest metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Species                                    Area                   Interim TAC       Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \3,4\.................................  W (610)..........................             2,894  ...........
                                                C (620)..........................             6,535
                                                C (630)..........................             2,274
                                                                                                    ------------
    Subtotal..................................  W/C..............................  ................       11,703
                                                WYK (640)........................               270  ...........
                                                SEO (650)........................             1,615  ...........
                                                                                                    ============
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................       13,588
Pacific cod \5\...............................  Inshore W........................             7,553  ...........
                                                Offshore W.......................               839  ...........
                                                Inshore C........................            10,916  ...........
                                                Offshore C.......................             1,213  ...........
                                                Inshore E........................               587  ...........
                                                Offshore E.......................                65  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................       21,173
Flatfish, Deep-water \6\......................  W................................                45  ...........
                                                C................................               555  ...........

[[Page 67966]]

 
                                                WYK..............................               332  ...........
                                                SEO..............................               288  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        1,220
Rex sole......................................  W................................               320  ...........
                                                C................................             1,385  ...........
                                                WYK..............................               400  ...........
                                                SEO..............................               262  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        2,367
Flathead sole.................................  W................................               500  ...........
                                                C................................             1,250  ...........
                                                WYK..............................               659  ...........
                                                SEO..............................               284  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        2,693
Flatfish, Shallow-water \7\...................  W................................             1,125  ...........
                                                C................................             3,250  ...........
                                                WYK..............................               290  ...........
                                                SEO..............................               740  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        5,405
Arrowtooth flounder...........................  W................................             2,000  ...........
                                                C................................             6,250  ...........
                                                WYK..............................               625  ...........
                                                SEO..............................               625  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        9,500
Sablefish \8,9,10\............................  H/L W............................         N/A (394)  ...........
                                                TRW W............................                98  ...........
                                                H/L C............................         N/A (986)  ...........
                                                TRW C............................               247  ...........
                                                TRW WYak.........................                56  ...........
                                                H/L WYak.........................         N/A (388)  ...........
                                                H/L SEO..........................         N/A (682)  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        2,851
Pacific ocean perch \11\......................  W................................               675  ...........
                                                C................................             2,127  ...........
                                                WYK..............................               203  ...........
                                                SEO..............................               410  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        3,415
Shortraker/rougheye \12\......................  W................................                55  ...........
                                                C................................               210  ...........
                                                E................................               140  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................          405
Rockfish, northern \13\.......................  W................................               197  ...........
                                                C................................             1,028  ...........
                                                E................................               N/A  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        1,225
Rockfish, other \14,15\.......................  W................................                22  ...........
                                                C................................               138  ...........
                                                WYK..............................                38  ...........
                                                SEO..............................                50  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................          248
Rockfish, pelagic shelf \16\..................  W................................               128  ...........
                                                C................................               870  ...........
                                                WYK..............................               160  ...........
                                                SEO..............................               215  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................        1,373
Rockfish, demersal shelf SEO \17\.............  SEO..............................                98  ...........
Thornyhead rockfish...........................  W................................                90  ...........
                                                C................................               210  ...........

[[Page 67967]]

 
                                                E................................               200  ...........
                                                                                                    ------------
    Total.....................................  .................................  ................          500
Atka mackerel.................................  GW...............................               150  ...........
Other species \18\............................  GW...............................             2,712  ...........
                                                                                                    ============
    GOA Total Interim TAC.....................  .................................  ................      68,921
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Reserves have been reapportioned back to each species TAC and are reflected in the interim TAC amounts (see
  Sec.   679.20(a)(2)).
\2\ See Sec.   679.2 for definitions of regulatory area and statistical area. See Figure 3b to part 679 for a
  description of regulatory districts.
\3\ The first seasonal allowance of pollock TAC in the W/C combined area is set at 25% of the annual TAC for the
  area which is 11,703 mt. Within the W/C area pollock is apportioned between Statistical Areas 610, 620, and
  630 based on adjusted estimate of the relative distribution of pollock biomass in the area which is
  approximately 25% in Area 610 (2,894 mt), 56% in Area 620 (6,535 mt), and 19% in Area 630 (2,274 mt). In the
  Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into less than annual allowances, and one-fourth of the TAC is
  available on an interim basis.
\4\ The pollock TAC in all regulatory areas will be allocated 100 percent to vessels catching groundfish for
  processing by the inshore component after subtraction of amounts that are determined by the Regional
  Administrator, NMFS, to be necessary to support the bycatch needs of the offshore component in directed
  fisheries for other groundfish species. At this time, these bycatch amounts are unknown and will be determined
  during the fishing year (see Sec.   679.20(a)(6)(i)).
\5\ The Pacific cod TAC in all regulatory areas is allocated 90 percent to vessels catching groundfish for
  processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels catching groundfish for processing by the
  offshore component (see Sec.   679.20(a)(6)(ii)). The first seasonal apportionment of Pacific cod in the GOA
  is 60% of the annual TAC.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot and deepsea sole.
\7\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish'', flathead sole, rex sole, or
  arrowtooth flounder.
\8\ Sablefish TAC amounts for each of the regulatory areas and districts are assigned to hook-and-line and trawl
  gear. In the Central and Western Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of the TAC is allocated to hook-and-line gear
  and 20 percent to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is assigned to hook-and-
  line gear. Five percent is allocated to trawl gear and may only be used as bycatch to support directed
  fisheries for other target species (see Sec.   679.20(a)(4)).
\9\ The sablefish hook-and-line (H/L) gear fishery is managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program
  and is subject to regulations contained in subpart D of 50 CFR part 679. Annual IFQ amounts are based on the
  final TAC amount specified for the sablefish H/L gear fishery as contained in the final specifications for
  groundfish. Under Sec.   679.7(f)(3)(ii), retention of sablefish caught with H/L gear is prohibited unless the
  harvest is authorized under a valid IFQ permit and IFQ card. In 2004, IFQ permits and IFQ cards will not be
  valid before the effective date of the 2004 final specifications. Thus, fishing for sablefish with H/L gear
  will not be authorized under these interim specifications. Nonetheless, interim amounts are shown in
  parentheses to reflect assignments of one-fourth of the proposed TAC amounts among gear categories and
  regulatory areas in accordance with Sec.   679.20(c)(2)(i). See Sec.   679.40 for guidance on the annual
  allocation of IFQ.
\10\ Sablefish caught in the GOA with gear other than hook-and-line or trawl gear must be treated as a
  prohibited species and may not be retained.
\11\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\12\ ``Shortraker/rougheye rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis (shortraker) and S. aleutianus (rougheye).
\13\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District means slope
  rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish. The category ``other rockfish'' in the Southeast Outside District means
  slope rockfish.
\15\ ``Slope rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
  S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegateu (harlequin), S.
  wilsoni (pygmy), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis
  (silvergrey), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S. babcocki
  (redbanded), and S. reedi (yellowmouth).
\16\ ``Pelagic shelf rockfish'' includes Sebastes ciliatus (dusky), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus
  (yellowtail).
\17\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
  S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
 
\18\ ``Other species'' includes sculpins, sharks, skates, squid, and octopus. The TAC for ``other species''
  equals 5 percent of the TAC amounts of target species.

Interim 2004 Halibut PSC Mortality Limits

    Under Sec.  679.21(d), annual Pacific halibut PSC mortality limits 
are established for trawl and hook-and-line gear and may be established 
for pot gear. The Council recommended and NMFS proposed to reestablish 
the 2003 halibut mortality limits for 2004 because no new information 
was available. Consistent with 2003, the Council recommended and NMFS 
proposed exemptions for pot gear, jig gear and the sablefish hook-and-
line fishery from halibut PSC limits for 2004. The fishery specific 
interim PSC allowances for halibut are in effect at 0001 hours, A.l.t., 
January 1, 2004, and remain in effect until superseded by the final 
2004 harvest specifications. The interim halibut PSC limits are: (1) 
500 mt to trawl gear, (2) 72.5 mt to hook-and-line gear for fisheries 
other than demersal shelf rockfish, and (3) 2.5 mt to hook-and-line 
gear for the demersal shelf rockfish fishery in the Southeast Outside 
District.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.21(d)(3)(iii) authorize apportionments of 
the trawl halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances to a deep-water 
species complex, comprised of rex sole, sablefish, rockfish, deep-water 
flatfish, and arrowtooth flounder; and a shallow-water species complex, 
comprised of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead 
sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species.'' The interim 2004 
apportionment for the shallow-water species complex is 409 mt and for 
the deep-water species complex is 91 mt.

Interim 2004 Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Groundfish Harvest and PSC 
Limitations

    The AFA regulations implemented groundfish harvesting and 
processing limitations, also called sideboards, on AFA catcher/
processors and catcher vessels in the GOA. These limitations are 
considered necessary for fishermen and processors who have received an 
exclusive harvesting and processing

[[Page 67968]]

privilege under the AFA to protect the interests of fishermen and 
processors who do not have such privileges. In the GOA, AFA catcher/
processors are prohibited from fishing for any species of fish (Sec.  
679.7(k)(1)(ii)) and from processing any groundfish harvested in 
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA (Sec.  679.7(k)(1)(iv)). The Council 
recommended and NMFS proposed that certain AFA catcher vessels in the 
GOA be exempt from groundfish harvest limitations. Regulations at Sec.  
679.64(b)(2)(ii) exempt AFA catcher vessels in the GOA less than 125 ft 
(38.1 m) length overall (LOA) whose annual Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area pollock landings totaled less than 5,100 mt and 
that made 40 or more GOA groundfish landings from 1995 through 1997.
    For non-exempt AFA catcher vessels in the GOA, harvest limitations 
are based on their traditional harvest levels of TAC in groundfish 
fisheries covered by the GOA FMP. Regulations at Sec.  
679.64(b)(3)(iii) establish the groundfish harvest limits in the GOA 
based on the retained catch of non-exempt AFA catcher vessels of each 
sideboard species from 1995 through 1997, divided by the sum of the 
TACs for that species over the same period. These amounts are listed in 
Table 2. All harvests of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA 
catcher vessels, whether as targeted catch or bycatch, will be deducted 
from the sideboard limits in Table 2.

                Table 2.--Interim 2004 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Harvest Sideboard Limitations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Ratio of 1995 1997
                                                 Apportionments and allocations by area/season/      non-exempt AFA CV       2004       2004 Non-Exempt
                   Species                                       processor/gear                     catch to 1995-1997   interim TAC  AFA catcher vessel
                                                                                                            TAC              (mt)       sideboard (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock......................................  Shumagin (610)....................................                0.6112        2,894               1,769
                                               Chirikof (620)....................................                0.1427          933               6,535
                                               Kodiak (630)......................................                0.2438          554               2,274
                                               WYK (640).........................................                0.3499          270                  94
                                               SEO (650).........................................                0.3499        1,615                 565
Pacific cod..................................  W inshore.........................................                0.1423        7,553               1,075
                                               W offshore........................................                0.1026          839                  86
                                               C inshore.........................................                0.0722       10,916                 788
                                               C offshore........................................                0.0721        1,213                  87
                                               E inshore.........................................                0.0079          587                   5
                                               E offshore........................................                0.0078           65                   1
Flatfish deep-water..........................  W.................................................                0.0000           45                   0
                                               C.................................................                0.0670          555                  37
                                               E.................................................                0.0171          620                  11
Rex sole.....................................  W.................................................                0.0010          320                   0
                                               C.................................................                0.0402        1,385                  56
                                               E.................................................                0.0153          662                  10
Flathead sole................................  W.................................................                0.0036          500                   2
                                               C.................................................                0.0261        1,250                  33
                                               E.................................................                0.0048          943                   5
Flatfish shallow-water.......................  W.................................................                0.0156        1,125                  18
                                               C.................................................                0.0598        3,250                 194
                                               E.................................................                0.0126        1,030                  13
Arrowtooth flounder..........................  W.................................................                0.0021        2,000                   4
                                               C.................................................                0.0309        6,250                 193
                                               E.................................................                0.0020        1,250                   3
Sablefish....................................  W trawl gear......................................                0.0000           98                   0
                                               C trawl gear......................................                0.0720          247                  18
                                               E trawl gear......................................                0.0488           56                   3
Pacific ocean perch..........................  W.................................................                0.0623          675                  42
                                               C.................................................                0.0866        2,127                 184
                                               E.................................................                0.0466          613                  29
Shortraker/Rougheye..........................  W.................................................                0.0000           55                   0
                                               C.................................................                0.0237          210                   5
                                               E.................................................                0.0124          140                   2
Other rockfish...............................  W.................................................                0.0034           23                   0
                                               C.................................................                0.2065          138                  28
                                               E.................................................                0.0000           88                   0
Northern rockfish............................  W.................................................                0.0003          197                   0
                                               C.................................................                0.0336        1,028                  35
Pelagic shelf rockfish.......................  W.................................................                0.0001          128                   0
                                               C.................................................                0.0000          870                   0
                                               E.................................................                0.0067          375                   3
Thornyhead rockfish..........................  W.................................................                0.0308           90                   3
                                               C.................................................                0.0308          210                   6
                                               E.................................................                0.0308          200                   6
Demersal shelf rockfish......................  SEO...............................................                0.0020           98                   0
Atka mackerel................................  Gulfwide..........................................                0.0309          150                   5
Other species................................  Gulfwide..........................................                0.0090        2,712                  24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 67969]]

    In accordance with regulations at Sec.  679.64(b)(4), PSC bycatch 
limits for non-exempt AFA catcher vessels in the GOA are based on the 
ratio of aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA catcher 
vessels in each PSC target category from 1995 through 1997, relative to 
the retained catch of all vessels in that fishery from 1995 through 
1997. These amounts are shown in Table 3.

  Table 3.--Interim 2004 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Limits
                                                   for the GOA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Ratio of 1995-
                                                          1997 non-exempt                       2004 non-exempt
                                                          AFA CV retained    2004 interim PSC     AFA catcher
           PSC species                Target fishery       catch to total       limit (mt)      vessel PSC limit
                                                           retained catch                             (mt)
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut (mortality in mt)........  shallow water                     0.340                409                139
                                    targets.                         0.070                 91                  6
                                   deep water targets..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Directed Fishing Closures

    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional 
Administrator determines that any allocation or apportionment of a 
target species or ``other species'' category apportioned to a fishery 
or, with respect to pollock and Pacific cod, to an inshore or offshore 
component allocation, will be reached, the Regional Administrator may 
establish a directed fishing allowance for that species or species 
group. If the Regional Administrator establishes a directed fishing 
allowance, and that allowance is or will be reached before the end of 
the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species 
or species group in the specified GOA regulatory area or district 
(Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
    The Regional Administrator has determined that the TAC amounts in 
Table 4 are necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries for the 2004 fishing year.

            Table 4.--Incidental Catch Needed to Support Other Directed Fisheries in the GOA in 2004.
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Target                         Regulatory area               Gear/component           Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka Mackerel............................  entire GOA.................  all........................          150
Thornyhead Rockfish......................  entire GOA.................  all........................          500
Shortraker Rougheye Rockfish.............  entire GOA.................  all........................          405
Other Rockfish...........................  entire GOA.................  all........................          248
Sablefish................................  entire GOA.................  trawl......................          401
Pollock..................................  entire GOA.................  all/offshore...............            0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator establishes the directed fishing allowances for the above 
species or species groups as zero. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS immediately is prohibiting directed fishing for 
those species, areas, gear types, and components listed in Table 4. 
These closures will remain in effect until superseded by the final 2004 
harvest specifications.
    Regulations at Sec.  679.64(b)(5) provide for management of AFA 
catcher vessel groundfish harvest limits and PSC bycatch limits using 
directed fishing closures and PSC closures according to procedures set 
out at Sec. Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iv), 679.21(d)(8) and 679.21(e)(3)(v). 
The Regional Administrator has determined that in addition to the 
closures listed above, many of the non-exempt AFA catcher vessel 
sideboard amounts listed in Table 2 are necessary as incidental catch 
to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 2004 fishing 
year. In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iv) the Regional 
Administrator establishes these amounts as directed fishing allowances. 
The Regional Administrator finds that many of these directed fishing 
allowances will be reached before the end of the year. Therefore, in 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing by non-exempt AFA catcher vessels in the GOA for the species 
and specified areas in Table 5. These closures will remain in effect 
until superseded by the final 2004 harvest specifications.

     Table 5.--2004 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel
             Sideboard Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Species                Regulatory area district     Gear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod......................  Eastern GOA..............  all
Deep-water flatfish..............  Western and Eastern GOA..  all
Rex sole.........................  Western and Eastern GOA..  all
Flathead sole....................  Eastern GOA..............  all
Shallow-water flatfish...........  Eastern GOA..............  all
Arrowtooth flounder..............  Eastern GOA..............  all
Pacific ocean perch..............  Western GOA..............  all
Northern rockfish................  Western GOA..............  all
Pelagic shelf rockfish...........  entire GOA...............  all
Demersal shelf rockfish..........  SEO District.............  all

[[Page 67970]]

 
Other species....................  entire GOA...............  all
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification

    This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    Because this action is a final action by NMFS, analyses required 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act must be completed and considered by the 
agency before promulgation of the interim harvest specifications.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 679.20(c)(2) require NMFS to specify harvest 
specifications to be effective January 1 and to remain in effect until 
superceded by the final specifications. Without interim specifications 
in effect on January 1, the groundfish fisheries would not be able to 
open, resulting in disruption within the fishing industry. NMFS cannot 
publish interim specifications until proposed specifications are 
completed, because the interim specifications are derived from the 
proposed specifications, as required by regulations at 50 CFR 
679.20(c)(2).
    The proposed specifications are based on the preliminary 
recommendations of the Plan Team, which were reviewed by the Scientific 
and Statistical Committee, Advisory Panel, and Council in October, 2003 
in projecting 2003 biomass amounts, as identified in the 2002 SAFE 
Report, for the proposed 2004 ABC, overfishing levels, and TAC amounts. 
The Plan Team recommendations incorporate the most current data 
available from a number of sources, including current-year industry 
catch levels, and current-year trawl and hydro-acoustic surveys. These 
data are not available in time for Council review prior to the October 
Council meeting, as the surveys are conducted during the summer months, 
and industry catch levels reflect current year activity. These up-dated 
data sources represent the best available scientific information. These 
data provide the basis for the proposed and interim specifications.
    The proposed specifications, as required by regulations at 50 CFR 
679.20(c)(1)(i)(A), must be published as soon as practicable after 
consultation with the Council, which occurs at the Council's October 
meeting. This requirement, along with the requirement of national 
standard 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to use the best scientific 
information available, prevents NMFS from publishing the proposed 
specifications early enough to provide sufficient time to have a public 
comment period for the interim specifications, which are derived from 
the proposed specifications, and to have the interim specifications 
effective on January 1.
    As stated above, disruption of the fishing industry, and consequent 
impacts to fishing communities and the public, would occur if the 
interim specifications were not effective January 1. Additionally, the 
public is provided an opportunity to comment on the proposed 
specifications, from which the interim specifications are derived. For 
these reasons, good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive 
prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this action as such 
procedures would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
    Likewise, the AA finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness date of the interim specifications. Regulations at 50 CFR 
679.20(c)(2) requires NMFS to establish interim harvest specifications 
to be effective on January 1 and to remain in effect until superseded 
by the publication of final harvest specifications by the Office of the 
Federal Register. NMFS interprets regulations at Sec.  679.20(c)(2) as 
requiring the filing of interim specifications with the Office of the 
Federal Register before any harvest of groundfish is authorized. The 
interim specifications are based on the proposed 2004 specifications.
    The interim specifications rely on data used to propose the 2004 
specifications, and those data are not available until the after summer 
surveys are conducted (see above). Without interim specifications in 
effect on January 1, the groundfish fisheries would not be able to open 
on that date, resulting in disruption of the fishing industry. These 
reasons constitute good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive 
the 30-day delay in effectiveness date.
    Because these interim specifications are not required to be issued 
with prior notice and opportunity for public comment pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the analytical requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act do not apply. Consequently, no regulatory 
flexibility analysis has been prepared for this action.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., 1801 et seq., and 3631 et 
seq..

    Dated: December 1, 2003.
William T. Hogarth,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30282 Filed 12-4-03; 8:45 am]
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