[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 80 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22063-22064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8990]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 071106671-8010-02]
RIN 0648-XH37


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern 
Rockfish and Pelagic Shelf Rockfish for Trawl Catcher Vessels 
Participating in the Entry Level Rockfish Fishery in the Central 
Regulatory Area of 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 northern rockfish and 
pelagic shelf rockfish for trawl catcher vessels participating in the 
entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2008 
total allowable catch (TAC) of northern

[[Page 22064]]

rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish allocated to trawl catcher vessels 
participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2008, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2008.

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 
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 accordance with Sec.  679.83(a)(1)(i), allocations of entry 
level rockfish to trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry 
level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area are first made 
from the Pacific ocean perch TAC. Trawl catcher vessels participating 
in the entry level rockfish program are allocated northern rockfish and 
pelagic shelf rockfish only if the amount of Pacific ocean perch 
available for allocation is less than the total allocation allowable 
for the entry level trawl catcher vessels. NMFS has determined that the 
2008 TAC of Pacific ocean perch allocated to the entry level fishery 
exceeds the total allocation of rockfish allowable for the entry level 
trawl catcher vessels. Therefore, the 2008 TACs of northern rockfish 
and pelagic shelf rockfish allocated to trawl catcher vessels 
participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central 
Regulatory Area are 0 mt.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2008 
TACs of northern rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish allocated to trawl 
catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in 
the Central Regulatory Area will be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 0 mt. 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 northern 
rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish for trawl catcher vessels 
participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the 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 northern rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish 
for trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish 
fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of 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 April 17, 2008.
    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 Sec.  679.83 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 18, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-8990 Filed 4-23-08; 8:45 am]
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