[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39791-39792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17045]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE



National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



50 CFR Part 679



[Docket No. 101126522-0640-02]

RIN 0648-XA542




Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 

Ocean Perch 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.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch 

in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 

is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) 

of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.



DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 2, 2011, 

through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.



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 2011 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area 

of the GOA is 2,798 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 

and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (75 FR 11111, 

March 1, 2010).

    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 

Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC 

of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will 

soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing 

a directed fishing allowance of 2,498 mt, and is setting aside the 

remaining 300 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 Pacific 

ocean perch in the Western 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



    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 Pacific ocean perch 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 June 24, 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.





[[Page 39792]]





    Dated: July 1, 2011.

James P. Burgess,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 

Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2011-17045 Filed 7-1-11; 4:15 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P