[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 39861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17041]



[[Page 39861]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0910131362-0087-02]
RIN 0648-XX55


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic 
Shelf Rockfish in the Western 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 pelagic shelf 
rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2010 total allowable 
catch (TAC) of pelagic shelf rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 8, 2010, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.

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 TAC of pelagic shelf rockfish in the Western Regulatory 
Area of the GOA is 650 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 
2010 and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (75 FR 
11749, March 12, 2010).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i) and Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator), has determined that the 2010 TAC of pelagic shelf 
rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 600 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 50 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 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 pelagic 
shelf rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
amounts at Sec.  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 pelagic shelf rockfish in the Western 
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 July 7, 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 8, 2010.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-17041 Filed 7-8-10; 4:15 pm]
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