[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9478-9479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-1750]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 041126332-5039-02; I.D. 021706A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher/Processor Vessels 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.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary 
to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2006 total allowable 
catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher/processor vessels 
using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 18, 
2006, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 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.
    The A season allowance of the 2006 Pacific cod TAC allocated to 
catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI is 
43,916 metric tons as established by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 
2005). See Sec. Sec. 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 A season allowance of the 
2006 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher/processor vessels using hook-
and-line gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting

[[Page 9479]]

directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processor vessels 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 
responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and 
would delay the closure of Pacific cod by catcher/processor vessels 
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: February 21, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1750 Filed 2-21-06; 2:49 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P