[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 141 (Friday, July 22, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18572]



[[Page 43934]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 101126522-0640-02]
RIN 0648-XA588


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic 
Shelf Rockfish for Catcher/Processors Participating in the Rockfish 
Limited Access 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 pelagic shelf 
rockfish by catcher/processors participating in the rockfish limited 
access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2011 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of pelagic shelf rockfish allocated to catcher/
processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 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 pelagic shelf rockfish allocated to catcher/
processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the 
Central GOA is 359 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2011 
and 2012 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11111, 
March 1, 2011), and as posted as the 2011 Rockfish Program Allocations 
at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC 
of pelagic shelf rockfish allocated to catcher/processors participating 
in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area 
of the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator 
is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 319 mt, and is setting 
aside the remaining 40 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 by catcher/processors participating in the 
rockfish limited access 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

    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 for catcher/
processors participating in the rockfish limited access 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 July 18, 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: July 19, 2011.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-18572 Filed 7-19-11; 4:15 pm]
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