[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52500-52501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7428]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 060216044-6044-01; I.D. 082906C]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 72 hours. This action is
necessary to fully use the C season allowance of the 2006 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock specified for Statistical Area 620 of
the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 31, 2006,
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 3, 2006.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
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.
NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area
620 of the GOA under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on August 28, 2006, it
will publish August 31, 2006.
NMFS has determined that approximately 2,900 mt of pollock remain
in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C) and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully utilize
the C season allowance of the 2006 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area
620, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. In accordance
with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that
this directed fishing allowance will be reached after 72 hours.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 620 of the
[[Page 52501]]
GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 3, 2006. 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 opening of pollock in Statistical Area 620 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
August 29, 2006.
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. 679.25 and Sec. 679.20 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 30, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-7428 Filed 8-30-06; 3:25 pm]
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