[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13304-13305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2505]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 030906G]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Processor Vessels Using Trawl 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 processor vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the 2006 first seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod 
total allowable catch (TAC) specified for catcher processor vessels 
using trawl gear in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 12, 2006, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2006.

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

[[Page 13305]]

appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2006 first seasonal allowance of the Pacific cod TAC specified 
for catcher processor vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI is 21,086 
metric tons (mt) as established by the 2006 and 2007 final harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006), 
for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 1, 2006, through 1200 hrs, 
A.l.t., April 1, 2006. See Sec.  679.20(c)(3)(iii), Sec.  679.20(c)(5), 
and Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2006 first seasonal allowance of 
the Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher processor vessels using trawl 
gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 20,586 
mt, and is setting aside the remaining 500 mt as bycatch to support 
other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed 
fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher processor vessels using 
trawl 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 trawl gear 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 March 9, 2006.
    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: March 10, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-2505 Filed 3-10-06; 3:02 pm]
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