[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29671-29672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12654]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 101126521-0640-02]
RIN 0648-XA442


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 trawl 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 2011 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be 
harvested.

DATES: Effective May 18, 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 B season apportionment of the 2011 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) specified for vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) is 4,949 metric tons (mt) 
for the period 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2011, through 1200 hrs, 
A.l.t., June 10, 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 trawl 
catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 1,300 mt of the B season 
apportionment of the 2011 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels 
under Sec.  679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(9). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), NMFS apportions 1,300 mt of Pacific cod from the 
B season trawl catcher vessel apportionment to catcher vessels less 
than 60 feet 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: 3,649 mt to the B season 
apportionment for catcher vessels using trawl gear and 7,505 mt to 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet 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 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 trawl 
catcher vessels to catcher vessels less than 60 feet 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

[[Page 29672]]

public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became 
available as of May 17, 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: May 18, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-12654 Filed 5-19-11; 11:15 am]
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