[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 114 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 33330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13237]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 071106671-8010-02]
RIN 0648-XI38


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-
Water Species Fishery by Catcher Processors 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 shallow-water species fishery for catcher processors subject to 
sideboard limits established under the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 
Rockfish Program in the GOA. This action is necessary because the 2008 
Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) sideboard limit 
specified for the shallow-water species fishery for catcher processors 
subject to sideboard limits established under the Central GOA Rockfish 
Program in the GOA is insufficient to support directed fishing for the 
shallow-water species fisheries.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 1, 2008, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 31, 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. processors in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart 
H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2008 Pacific halibut PSC sideboard limit specified for the 
shallow-water species fishery for catcher processors subject to 
sideboard limits established under the Central GOA Rockfish Program in 
the GOA is 11 metric tons as established by Sec.  679.82(d), the 2008 
and 2009 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (73 FR 10562, 
February 27, 2008), for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 2008, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 31, 2008.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.82(d)(9)(i)(B), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 2008 Pacific halibut PSC 
sideboard limit specified for the shallow-water species fishery for 
catcher processors subject to sideboard limits established under the 
Central GOA Rockfish Program in the GOA is insufficient to support 
directed fishing for the shallow-water species fisheries. Consequently, 
in accordance with Sec.  679.82(d)(9)(ii)(A), NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for species that comprise the shallow-water species 
fishery for catcher processors subject to sideboard limits established 
under the Central GOA Rockfish Program in the GOA. The species and 
species groups that comprise the shallow-water species fishery for the 
sideboard limit are shallow-water flatfish and flathead sole.
    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 shallow-water species fishery for 
catcher processors subject to sideboard limits established under the 
Central GOA Rockfish Program 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 June 4, 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.  679.82 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: June 6, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-13237 Filed 6-11-08; 8:45 am]
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