[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 2004)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 9240-9241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4367]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 031126295-3295-01; I.D. 022304D]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Species in 
the Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/``Other Flatfish'' Fishery Category 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 species in the rock sole/
flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using 
trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 2004 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead 
sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 24, 
2004, until superseded by the notice of Final 2004 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI, which will be published in 
the Federal Register.

[[Page 9241]]


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 interim 2004 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl 
rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category in the BSAI 
is 195 metric tons as established by the interim 2004 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the BSAI (68 FR 68265, December 8, 
2003).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the interim 2004 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead 
sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category in the BSAI has been caught. 
Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for species in the rock 
sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' 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 impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This requirement is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest as it would prevent the Agency from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the closure under the 2004 interim specifications of 
directed fishing for species in the rock sole/flathead sole/``other 
flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI.
    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: February 23, 2004.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4367 Filed 2-24-04; 3:36 pm]
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