[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12293-12294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5075]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 101126521-0640-02]
RIN 0648-XA260


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet 
(18.3 meters) length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This action is 
necessary to allow the A season apportionment of the 2011 total 
allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES: Effective March 1, 2011, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time 
(A.l.t.), December 31, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obren Davis, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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 A season apportionment of the 2011 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) specified for vessels using jig gear in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) is 1,710 metric tons (mt) for 
the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., January 1, 2011, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., 
April 30, 2011, as established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (76 FR 11139, March 1, 2011).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that jig 
vessels will not be able to harvest 1,500 mt of the A season 
apportionment of the 2011 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels 
under Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 1,500 mt of Pacific cod from the 
A season jig gear apportionment to catcher vessels less than 60 feet 
(18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear.
    The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the final 
2011 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (76 FR 11139, 
March 1, 2011) are revised as follows: 810 mt to the A season 
apportionment for vessels using jig gear and 5,555 mt to catcher 
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.

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

[[Page 12294]]

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 reallocation of Pacific cod 
specified from jig vessels to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 
m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. Since the fishery is currently 
open, it is important to immediately inform the industry as to the 
revised allocations. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for 
the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow 
the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential 
disruption to the fishing fleet as well as processors. NMFS was unable 
to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most 
recent, relevant data only became available as of March 1, 2011.
    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 2, 2011.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5075 Filed 3-2-11; 4:15 pm]
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