[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6985-6986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1250]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126332-5039-02; I.D. 020606A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pollock from the Aleutian Islands Subarea to the Bering Sea Subarea

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Community 
Development Quota (CDQ) pollock from the Aleutian Islands subarea to 
the Bering Sea subarea. This action is necessary to allow the 2006 
total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in the Aleutian Islands subarea 
to be harvested in the Bering Sea subarea.

DATES: Effective February 10, 2006, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time 
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2006.

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.
    In the Aleutian Islands subarea, the 2006 A season allowance of CDQ 
pollock is 760 mt as established by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 
2005), for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 1, 2006, through 1200 
hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2006.
    As of January 26, 2006, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, 
(Regional Administrator) has determined that 760 mt of A season CDQ 
pollock will not be harvested. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), NMFS reallocates 760 mt of CDQ pollock from 
the Aleutian Islands subarea to the Bering Sea subarea A season 
allocation.
    Furthermore, the Regional Administrator has determined through

[[Page 6986]]

consultation with the CDQ groups that 1,140 mt of the B season CDQ 
pollock allocations in the Aleutian Islands subarea will not be 
harvested. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(4), 
NMFS reallocates 1,140 mt of CDQ pollock from the Aleutian Islands 
subarea to the Bering Sea subarea B season allocation. Table 3 has been 
revised to reflect this reallocation.
    The harvest specifications for pollock in the Aleutian Islands and 
Bering Sea subarea included in the harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005) are revised as 
follows: 0 mt to the A season allowance of CDQ pollock in the Aleutian 
Islands subarea, 0 mt to the B season allowance of CDQ pollock in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea, 60,270 mt to the A season allowance of CDQ 
pollock in the Bering Sea subarea, and 90,406 mt to the B season 
allowance of CDQ pollock in the Bering Sea subarea.

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 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the reallocation of Aleutian Islands subarea pollock to the 
Bering Sea subarea A season. At the end of January 2006, NMFS was 
notified by the CDQ groups that the pollock allocations in the Aleutian 
Islands subarea will not be harvested. Since the A season is currently 
open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the 
final Bering Sea subarea A season allocations. Immediate notification 
is necessary in order to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient 
operation of this fishery thereby allowing the industry to plan for the 
fishing season and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet as 
well as processors.
    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: February 6, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1250 Filed 2-9-06; 8:45 am]
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