[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 58 (Friday, March 26, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14498-14499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6756]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0910131363-0087-02]
RIN 0648-XV52


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka 
Mackerel 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 Atka mackerel in the 
Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 
limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the 2010 A season allocation of Atka mackerel in this area allocated to 
vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 23, 2010, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Steve Whitney, 908-586-7269.

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 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 2010 A season allocation of Atka mackerel allocated to vessels 
participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery in the Central 
Aleutian District was established as 7,457 metric tons (mt) by the 
final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(75 FR 11778, March 12, 2010).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional 
Administrator has determined that the 2010 Atka mackerel A season TAC 
allocated to vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access 
fishery in the Central Aleutian District of the BSAI will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed

[[Page 14499]]

fishing allowance of 7,407 mt and is setting aside the remaining 50 mt 
as incidental catch to support other 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 Atka 
mackerel in the Central Aleutian District by vessels participating in 
the Amendment 80 limited access fishery.
    After the effective dates 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 a 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 Atka mackerel fishery in the Central 
Aleutian District for vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited 
access fishery. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for 
public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of March 22, 2010. 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 23, 2010.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-6756 Filed 3-23-10; 4:15 pm]
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