[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16467]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0910131362-0087-02]
RIN 0648-XX35


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch for Catcher Vessels Participating in the Rockfish Entry 
Level Trawl 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 Pacific ocean perch 
by trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level 
fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2010 directed fishing 
allowance of Pacific ocean perch for trawl catcher vessels 
participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 3, 2010, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Steve Whitney, 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.
    The 2010 directed fishing allowance of Pacific ocean perch 
allocated to trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level 
rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area is 392 metric tons as 
established by the final 2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the GOA (75 FR 11749, March 12, 2010).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), 
has determined that the 2010 directed fishing allowance of Pacific 
ocean perch for trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level 
rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area will soon be reached. 
Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by 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

    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 ocean perch by trawl catcher vessels participating in the 
rockfish entry level 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 June 
30, 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: July 1, 2010.
 Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16467 Filed 7-1-10; 4:15 pm]
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