[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 49 (Friday, March 12, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5663]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 020718172-2303-02; I.D. 030804B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA Using Jig or Hook-and-
Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line 
gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels less 
than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof 
Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 10, 2004, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2004.

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 50 CFR part 679.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1) and (2), the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has 
determined that 113 metric tons of Pacific cod have been caught by 
catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line 
gear in the Bogoslof exemption area described at Sec.  
679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1). Consequently, the Regional Administrator is 
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less 
than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof 
Pacific cod exemption area.

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 of Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 
ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific 
cod exemption area.
    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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: March 8, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5663 Filed 3-9-04; 2:33 pm]
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