[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14111]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 111213751-2102-02]
RIN 0648-XC061


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Western Aleutian District of 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 directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch 
in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl 
limited access fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the 2012 allocation of Pacific ocean perch in this area allocated to 
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 6, 2012, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7269.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 allocation of Pacific ocean perch, in the Western Aleutian 
District, allocated as a directed fishing allowance to vessels 
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery was established 
as 149 metric tons (mt) by the final 2012 and 2013 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (77 FR 10669, February 23, 
2012).
    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 Aleutian District by vessels participating 
in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery.
    After the effective dates 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 Acting 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 a 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 directed fishing closure of the Pacific 
ocean perch fishery in the Western Aleutian District by vessels 
participating in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery. NMFS was unable 
to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most 
recent, relevant data only became available as of June 5, 2012. 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: June 6, 2012.
Carrie Selberg,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14111 Filed 6-6-12; 4:15 pm]
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