[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17141]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126332-5039-02; I.D. 082305B]


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

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; prohibition of retention.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of yellowfin sole in the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that 
catch of yellowfin sole in this area be treated in the same manner as 
prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This 
action is necessary because the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
yellowfin sole in the BSAI has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 24, 2005, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2005.

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 Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 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 2005 TAC of yellowfin sole in the BSAI was established as 
83,883 metric tons by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications 
for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005) and the 
apportionment of the non-specified reserve to the yellowfin sole TAC on 
July 28, 2005 (70 FR 43644, July 28, 2005).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the yellowfin sole TAC in the BSAI 
has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
yellowfin sole in the BSAI be treated as a prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec.  679.21(b).

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 NMFS from 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the prohibition of retention of yellowfin sole in the BSAI. 
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
August 22, 2005.
    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: August 23, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17141 Filed 8-24-05; 2:52 pm]
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