[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 237 (Monday, December 12, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73389-73390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23926]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126332-5039-02; I.D. 120705A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels 60 feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall and Longer 
Using Hook-and-line Gear 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; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) and 
longer using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for 
catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA and longer using hook-and-line 
gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 7, 
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 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 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 
m) LOA and longer using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI is 230 metric 
tons as established by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications 
for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005), the 
reallocation on October 5, 2005 (70 FR 58983, October 11, 2005) and the 
reallocation on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 71039, November 25, 2005). See 
Sec.  679.20(c)(3)(iii) and (c)(5), and (a)(7)(i)(C).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2005 Pacific cod TAC 
allocated to catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA and longer using 
hook-and-line gear in the BSAI has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet 
(18.3 m) LOA and longer using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
amounts at Sec.  679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

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 NMFS from

[[Page 73390]]

responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the closure of Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 
m) LOA and longer using hook-and-line gear 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: December 7, 2005.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23926 Filed 12-7-05; 2:16 pm]
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