[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 224 (Monday, November 22, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 71045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29376]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 0910131362-0087-02]
RIN 0648-XA051


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
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; prohibition of retention.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of Pacific cod in this area be treated in the same manner as 
prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This 
action is necessary because the 2010 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing 
by the inshore component in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 17, 
2010, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.

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. Regulations governing sideboard 
protections for GOA groundfish fisheries appear at subpart B of 50 CFR 
part 680.
    The 2010 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific 
cod for processing by the inshore component of the Western Regulatory 
Area of the GOA is 18,687 metric tons, as established by the final 2010 
and 2011 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (75 FR 11749, 
March 12, 2010).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2010 
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further 
catches of Pacific cod caught by vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the GOA 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 the prohibition of retention of Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component 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 November 12, 2010.
    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: November 17, 2010.
Brian Parker,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-29376 Filed 11-17-10; 4:15 pm]
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