[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 15, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45697-45698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3995]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213032-7032-01]
RIN 0648-XC02


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-water 
Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

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 species that comprise 
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the third seasonal 
apportionment of the 2007 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified 
for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 10, 2007, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North

[[Page 45698]]

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 third seasonal apportionment of the 2007 Pacific halibut 
bycatch allowance specified for the deep-water species fishery in the 
GOA is 400 metric tons as established by the 2007 and 2008 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (72 FR 9676, March 5, 2007), 
for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 2007, through 1200 hrs, 
A.l.t., September 1, 2007. The third seasonal apportionment of the 2007 
Pacific halibut bycatch allowance was reduced to 224 mt because 176 mt 
of this apportionment was allocated to vessels participating in the 
Rockfish Pilot Program, as listed at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/07rppallocations.xls.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the third seasonal apportionment of 
the 2007 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl 
deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been reached. Consequently, 
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep-water species fishery 
by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups 
that comprise the deep-water species fishery are sablefish, rockfish, 
deep-water flatfish, rex sole and arrowtooth flounder. This closure 
does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative 
fishery in the Rockfish Pilot Program for the Central GOA.
    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 the deep-water species fishery by vessels 
using trawl gear in the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice 
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant 
data only became available as of August 9, 2007.
    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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 9, 2007.
Emily Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-3995 Filed 8-10-07; 2:48 pm]
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