[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13758-13759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6564]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 031125292-4061-02; I.D. 031904A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 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 directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the B season pollock total allowable 
catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 21, 2004, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 25, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish 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 B season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 
of the GOA is 10,704 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2004 
harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (69 FR 9261, February 
27, 2004). In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B) the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), hereby 
increases the B

[[Page 13759]]

season pollock TAC by 1,522 mt, the amount of the A season pollock 
allowance in Statistical Area 620 that was not previously taken in the 
A season. The revised B season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical 
Area 620 is therefore 12,226 mt (10,704 mt plus 1,522 mt).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator, has determined that the revised B season allowance of 
the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 will be reached. Therefore, the 
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 
12,000 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 226 mt as bycatch to 
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with 
Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this 
directed fishing allowance will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the 
GOA.

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 the B season pollock TAC in Statistical Area 
620.
    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: March 19, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-6564 Filed 3-19-04; 1:48 pm]
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