[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 17982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7648]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 031124287-4060-02; I.D. 032904B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Rock Sole in 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

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 rock sole in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the 2004 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
rock sole in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 1, 2004, 
until 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.
    The 2004 TAC specified for rock sole in the BSAI is 34,850 metric 
tons (mt) as established by the 2004 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the BSAI (69 FR 9242, February 27, 2004).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2004 TAC 
specified for rock sole will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 31,850 
mt, and is setting aside the remaining 3,000 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 has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for rock sole 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 a 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 rock sole fishery 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: March 30, 2004.
John H. Dunnigan,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7648 Filed 3-31-04; 3:50 pm]
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