[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 17, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18832]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 031126295-3295-01; I.D. 081104A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka 
Mackerel Lottery in Areas 542 and 543

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

ACTION: Notification of fishery assignments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is notifying the owners and operators of registered 
vessels of their assignments for the B season Atka mackerel fishery in 
harvest limit area (HLA) 542 and/or 543 of the Aleutian Islands subarea 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This 
action is necessary to allow the harvest of the B season HLA limits 
established for area 542 and area 543 pursuant to the 2004 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 16, 2004, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 1, 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.  679.20(a)(8)(iii)(A), owners and operators 
of vessels using trawl gear for directed fishing for Atka mackerel in 
the HLA are required to register with NMFS. Nine vessels have 
registered with NMFS to fish in the B season HLA fisheries in areas 542 
and/or 543. In order to reduce the amount of daily catch in the HLA by 
about half and to disperse the fishery over time and in accordance with 
Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has 
randomly assigned each vessel to the HLA directed fishery for Atka 
mackerel for which they have registered and is now notifying each 
vessel of its assignment.
    Vessels authorized to participate in the first HLA directed fishery 
in area 542 in accordance with 50 CFR 679.20(a)(8)(iii) are as follows: 
Federal Fishery Permit number (FFP) 4093 Alaska Victory, FFP 3835 
Seafisher, FFP 2134 Ocean Peace, FFP 2443 Alaska Juris, and FFP 1879 
American No. 1.
    Vessels authorized to participate in the second HLA directed 
fishery in area 543 in accordance with 50 CFR 679.20(a)(8)(iii) are as 
follows: FFP 4093 Alaska Victory, FFP 3835 Seafisher, FFP 2134 Ocean 
Peace, and FFP 2443 Alaska Juris.
    Vessels authorized to participate in the first HLA directed fishery 
in area 543 and/or the second HLA directed fishery in area 542 in 
accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii) are as follows: FFP 3819 Alaska 
Spirit, FFP 2733 Seafreeze Alaska, FFP 3423 Alaska Warrior, and FFP 
3400 Alaska Ranger.

Classification

    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 unnecessary. This notice merely 
advises the owners of these vessels of the results of a random 
assignment required by regulation. The notice needs to occur 
immediately to notify the owner of each vessel of its assignment to 
allow these vessel owners to plan for participation in the B season HLA 
fisheries in area 542 and area 543.
    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 679.22 and is exempt 
from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: August 11, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-18832 Filed 8-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S