[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 28, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59924-59925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-24975]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 101126521-0640-2]
RIN 0648-XA731


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Skates 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; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of skates in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary 
because the 2011 total allowable catch (TAC) of skates in the BSAI has 
been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 24, 
2011, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 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 skates in the BSAI is 16,500 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2011 and 2012 harvest specifications for 
groundfish of the GOA (76 FR 11139, March 1, 2011) and apportionment of 
non-specified reserves (76 FR 53840, August 30, 2011).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2011 TAC 
of skates in the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring 
that skates caught in the BSAI be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec.  679.21(b).

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 prohibiting the retention of skates in the BSAI. NMFS was 
unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because 
the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 
22, 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 Sec.  679.21 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.


[[Page 59925]]


    Dated: September 23, 2011.
Steven Thur,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-24975 Filed 9-23-11; 4:15 pm]
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