[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 184 (Friday, September 22, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55347-55353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8074]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216045-6045-01; I.D. 091806A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Adjustment 
of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amount in the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the 2006 Pacific cod total allowable catch 
(TAC) amount in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to allow harvest of Pacific cod that 
will not be harvested under the State of Alaska's guideline harvest 
level (GHL) for the Aleutian Islands subarea state waters Pacific cod 
fishery. This action is consistent with the goals and objectives of the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI (FMP).

DATES: Effective September 19, 2006, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local 
time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2007.
    Comments must be received at the following address no later than 
4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 4, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional 
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 
Attn: Ellen Walsh. Comments may be submitted by:
    <bullet> Mail to: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802;
    <bullet> Hand delivery to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th 
Street, Room 420A, Juneau, Alaska;
    <bullet> FAX to 907-586-7557;
    <bullet> E-mail to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e0d0a1f0a1b0e1d111a0c1b121c3e10111f1f50191108"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="02717663766772616d6670676e60426c6d63632c656d74">[email protected]</span></a> and include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the document identifier: 
statepcodrelb (E-mail comments, with or without attachments, are 
limited to 5 megabytes); or
    <bullet> Webform at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions at that site for 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the FMP prepared by the North Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (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 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in 
the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) established the 2006 and 2007 
Pacific cod acceptable biological catches (ABC) as 194,000 metric tons 
(mt) and 148,000 mt, respectively. The TACs were set equal to the ABCs 
for Pacific cod in the BSAI. On March 14, 2006, NMFS reduced the 
Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI after the Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game (ADF&G) announced by emergency regulation a Pacific cod GHL, west 
of 170 degrees west longitude in the Aleutian Islands subarea, equal to 
three percent of the Pacific cod ABC in the BSAI (71 FR 13777, March 
17, 2006).
    On August 28, 2006, ADF&G announced the closure of the 2006 state 
waters Pacific cod fishery, west of 170 degrees west longitude in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea, effective 11:59 a.m. A.l.t., September 1, 
2006. As of September 1, 2006, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, 
(Regional Administrator) has determined that ADF&G is making available 
1,588 mt of unharvested Pacific cod from the Aleutian Islands state 
waters Pacific cod fishery to the federal Pacific cod fisheries. As a 
result, the Regional Administrator has determined, using the best 
scientific information available, that the current 2006 TAC is 
incorrectly specified because the transfer of unharvested state waters 
GHL in the Aleutian Islands subarea to the federally managed fisheries 
requires an increase to the 2006 TAC of Pacific cod in the BSAI. This 
action will not exceed the

[[Page 55348]]

2006 ABC of Pacific cod in the BSAI established in the 2006 and 2007 
final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, 
March 3, 2006). Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.25(a)(1)(iii), 
(a)(2)(i)(B) and (a)(2)(iv), the Regional Administrator adjusts the 
2006 Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI.
    Pursuant to Sec.  679.20(a)(7), Tables 1, 2, 5, 12, and 14 of the 
2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI 
(71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) and adjustment (71 FR 13777, March 17, 
2006) are revised for the 2006 Pacific cod TAC consistent with this 
adjustment.

[[Page 55349]]



   TABLE 1--2006 AND 2007 OVERFISHING LEVEL (OFL), ACCEPTABLE BIOLOGICAL CATCH (ABC), TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (TAC), INITIAL TAC (ITAC), AND CDQ RESERVE
                                                         ALLOCATION OF GROUNDFISH IN THE BSAI\1\
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             2006                                                        2007
      Species           Area     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      OFL         ABC         TAC       ITAC\2\     CDQ\3\        OFL         ABC         TAC       ITAC\2\     CDQ\3\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock\4\               BS\2\     2,090,000   1,930,000   1,485,000   1,336,500     148,500   1,930,000   1,790,000   1,500,000   1,350,000     150,000
                         AI\2\        39,100      29,400      19,000      17,100       1,900      39,100      29,400      19,000      17,100       1,900
                      Bogoslof        50,600       5,500          10          10         n/a      50,600       5,500          10          10         n/a
Pacific cod               BSAI       230,000     194,000     189,768     161,302      14,233     176,000     148,000     143,560     122,026      10,767
Sablefish\5\                BS         3,680       3,060       2,820       2,327         388       3,260       2,700       2,700       1,148         101
                            AI         3,740       3,100       3,000       2,438         499       3,300       2,740       2,740         582          51
Atka mackerel             BSAI       130,000     110,000      63,000      53,550       4,725     107,000      91,000      63,000      53,550       4,725
                        EAI/BS           n/a      21,780       7,500       6,375         563         n/a      18,020       7,500       6,375         563
                           CAI           n/a      46,860      40,000      34,000       3,000         n/a      38,760      38,000      32,300       2,850
                           WAI           n/a      41,360      15,500      13,175       1,163         n/a      34,220      17,500      14,875       1,313
Yellowfin sole            BSAI       144,000     121,000      95,701      81,346       7,178     137,000     116,000     107,641      91,495       8,073
Rock sole                 BSAI       150,000     126,000      41,500      35,275       3,113     145,000     122,000      44,000      37,400       3,300
Greenland turbot          BSAI        14,200       2,740       2,740       2,329         206      13,400       2,630       2,630       2,236         197
                            BS           n/a       1,890       1,890       1,607         142         n/a       1,815       1,815       1,543         136
                            AI           n/a         850         850         723          64         n/a         815         815         693          61
Arrowtooth                BSAI       166,000     136,000      13,000      11,050         975     174,000     142,000      18,000      15,300       1,350
 flounder
Flathead sole             BSAI        71,800      59,800      19,500      16,575       1,463      67,900      56,600      22,000      18,700       1,650
Other flatfish\6\         BSAI        24,200      18,100       3,500       2,975         263      24,200      18,100       5,000       4,250         375
Alaska plaice             BSAI       237,000     188,000       8,000       6,800         600     231,000     183,000      15,000      12,750       1,125
Pacific ocean             BSAI        17,600      14,800      12,600      10,710         945      17,600      14,800      14,800      12,580       1,110
 perch
                            BS           n/a       2,960       1,400       1,190         105         n/a       2,960       2,960       2,516         222
                           EAI           n/a       3,256       3,080       2,618         231         n/a       3,256       3,256       2,768         244
                           CAI           n/a       3,212       3,035       2,580         228         n/a       3,212       3,212       2,730         241
                           WAI           n/a       5,372       5,085       4,322         381         n/a       5,375       5,372       4,566         403
Northern rockfish         BSAI        10,100       8,530       4,500       3,825         338       9,890       8,320       5,000       4,250         375
Shortraker                BSAI           774         580         580         493          44         774         580         580         493          44
 rockfish
Rougheye rockfish         BSAI           299         224         224         190          17         299         224         224         190          17
Other rockfish\7\         BSAI         1,870       1,400       1,050         893          79       1,870       1,400       1,400       1,190         105
                            BS           n/a         810         460         391          35         n/a         810         810         689          61
                            AI           n/a         590         590         502          44         n/a         590         590         502          44
Squid                     BSAI         2,620       1,970       1,275       1,084         n/a       2,620       1,970       1,275       1,084         n/a
Other species\8\          BSAI        89,404      58,882      29,000      24,650       2,175      89,404      62,950      27,000      22,950       2,025
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL               ............   3,476,987   3,013,086   1,995,768   1,771,423     187,641   3,224,217   2,799,914   1,995,560   1,769,284     187,290
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\1\These amounts apply to the entire BSAI management area unless otherwise specified. With the exception of pollock, and for the purpose of these
  harvest specifications, the Bering Sea (BS) subarea includes the Bogoslof District.
\2\Except for pollock and the portion of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line and pot gear, 15 percent of each TAC is put into a reserve. The
  ITAC for each species is the remainder of the TAC after the subtraction of these reserves.
\3\Except for pollock, squid and the hook-and-line or pot gear allocation of sablefish, one half of the amount of the TACs placed in reserve, or 7.5
  percent of the TACs, is designated as a CDQ reserve for use by CDQ participants (see Sec.  Sec.   679.20(b)(1)(iii) and 679.31).
\4\Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(i)(A)(1), the annual Bering Sea pollock TAC after subtraction for the CDQ directed fishing allowance - 10 percent and
  the ICA - 3.35 percent, is further allocated by sector for a directed pollock fishery as follows: inshore - 50 percent; catcher/processor - 40
  percent; and motherships - 10 percent. Pursuant to Sec.   679.20(a)(5)(iii)(B)(2)(i) and (ii), the annual AI pollock TAC, after subtracting first for
  the CDQ directed fishing allowance - 10 percent and second for the ICA - 1,800 mt, is allocated to the Aleut Corporation for a directed pollock
  fishery.
\5\Twenty percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to hook-and-line gear or pot gear and 7.5 percent of the sablefish TAC allocated to trawl gear is
  reserved for use by CDQ participants (see Sec.   679.20(b)(1)(iii)).
\6\ ``Other flatfish'' includes all flatfish species, except for halibut (a prohibited species), flathead sole, Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin
  sole, arrowtooth flounder and Alaska plaice.
\7\ ``Other rockfish'' includes all Sebastes and Sebastolobus species except for Pacific ocean perch, northern, shortraker, and rougheye rockfish.
\8\``Other species'' includes sculpins, sharks, skates and octopus. Forage fish, as defined at Sec.   679.2, are not included in the ``other species''
  category.


[[Page 55350]]


   TABLE 2--2006 AND 2007 APPORTIONMENT OF RESERVES TO ITAC CATEGORIES
                      [Amounts are in metric tons]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    2006       2006      2007      2007
    Species--area or subarea       Reserve    Final    Reserve    Final
                                   amount      ITAC     amount     ITAC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atka mackerel--Eastern Aleutian  563         6,938    563        6,938
 District and Bering Sea
 subarea
Atka mackerel--Central Aleutian  3,000       37,000   2,850      35,150
 District
Atka mackerel--Western Aleutian  1,163       14,338   1,313      16,188
 District
Pacific ocean perch--Eastern     231         2,849    244        3,012
 Aleutian District
Pacific ocean perch--Central     228         2,808    241        2,971
 Aleutian District
Pacific ocean perch--Western     381         4,703    403        4,969
 Aleutian District
Pacific cod--BSAI                14,233      175,535  10,767     132,793
Shortraker rockfish BSAI         44          537      44         537
Rougheye rockfish BSAI           17          207      17         207
Northern rockfish-BSAI           338         4,163    375        4,625
Other rockfish--Bering Sea       35          426      61         750
 subarea
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                            20,233      249,504  16,878     208,140
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                 TABLE 5--2006 AND 2007 GEAR SHARES AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF THE BSAI PACIFIC COD ITAC
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              2006        2006         2006           2006 Seasonal            2007        2007        2007          2007 Seasonal
                            Share of    Subtotal     Share of        apportionment\1\        Share of    Subtotal    Share of       apportionment\1\
  Gear Sector     Percent     gear     percentages     gear   -----------------------------    gear     percentages    gear   --------------------------
                             sector     for gear      sector                                  sector     for gear     sector
                             total       sectors      total          Date          Amount     total       sectors      total         Date        Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total hook-and-      51      89,523         n/a          n/a               n/a        n/a     67,724         n/a         n/a              n/a       n/a
 line/pot gear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line/      n/a         n/a         n/a          500               n/a        n/a        n/a         n/a         500              n/a       n/a
 pot ICA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line/      n/a      89,023         n/a          n/a               n/a        n/a     67,224         n/a         n/a              n/a       n/a
 pot sub-total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line C/    n/a         n/a          80       71,218      Jan 1-Jun 10     42,731        n/a          80      53,780     Jan 1-Jun 10    32,268
 P                                                               Jun 10-Dec 31     28,487                                       Jun 10-Dec 31    21,512
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hook-and-line       n/a         n/a         0.3          267      Jan 1-Jun 10        160        n/a         0.3         202     Jan 1-Jun 10       121
 CV                                                              Jun 10-Dec 31        107                                       Jun 10-Dec 31        81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pot C/P             n/a         n/a         3.3        2,938      Jan 1-Jun 10      1,763        n/a         3.3       2,218     Jan 1-Jun 10     1,331
                                                                 Sept 1-Dec 31      1,175                                       Sept 1-Dec 31       887
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pot CV              n/a         n/a          15       13,354      Jan 1-Jun 10      8,012        n/a          15      10,084     Jan 1-Jun 10     6,050
                                                                 Sept 1-Dec 31      5,342                                       Sept 1-Dec 31     4,033
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CV < 60 feet        n/a         n/a         1.4        1,246               n/a        n/a        n/a         1.4         941              n/a       n/a
 LOA using Hook-
 and-line or
 Pot gear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Trawl          47      82,502         n/a          n/a               n/a        n/a     62,413         n/a         n/a              n/a       n/a
 Gear
 
 Trawl CV        ........  .........         50       41,251      Jan 20-Apr 1     28,876   .........         50      31,206     Jan 20-Apr 1    21,844
 
                 ........  .........  ............       n/a      Apr 1-Jun 10      4,125   .........  ............      n/a     Apr 1-Jun 10     3,121
 
                 ........  .........  ............       n/a      Jun 10-Nov 1      8,250   .........  ............      n/a     Jun 10-Nov 1     6,241
 
 Trawl CP        ........  .........         50       41,251      Jan 20-Apr 1     20,626   .........         50      31,206     Jan 20-Apr 1    15,603
 
                 ........  .........  ............       n/a      Apr 1-Jun 10     12,375   .........  ............      n/a     Apr 1-Jun 10     9,362
 
                 ........  .........  ............       n/a      Jun 10-Nov 1      8,250   .........  ............      n/a     Jun 10-Nov 1     6,241
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 55351]]

 
Jig                   2       3,510         n/a          n/a      Jan 1-Apr 30      1,405      2,656         n/a         n/a     Jan 1-Apr 30     1,062
 
                 ........  .........        n/a          n/a     Apr 30-Aug 31        701   .........        n/a         n/a    Apr 30-Aug 31       531
 
                 ........  .........        n/a          n/a     Aug 31-Dec 31      1,404   .........        n/a         n/a    Aug 31-Dec 31     1,062
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total               100     175,535         n/a          n/a               n/a        n/a    132,793         n/a         n/a              n/a       n/a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\For most non-trawl gear the first season is allocated 60 percent of the ITAC and the second season is allocated 40 percent of the ITAC. For jig gear,
  the first season and third seasons are each allocated 40 percent of the ITAC and the second season is allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. No seasonal
  harvest constraints are imposed for the Pacific cod fishery by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear. For
  trawl gear, the first season is allocated 60 percent of the ITAC and the second and third seasons are each allocated 20 percent of the ITAC. The trawl
  catcher vessels' allocation is further allocated as 70 percent in the first season, 10 percent in the second season and 20 percent in the third
  season. The trawl catcher/processors' allocation is allocated 50 percent in the first season, 30 percent in the second season and 20 percent in the
  third season. Any unused portion of a seasonal Pacific cod allowance will be reapportioned to the next seasonal allowance.


                        TABLE 12--2006 AND 2007 LISTED BSAI AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER/PROCESSOR GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS
                                                              [Amounts are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   1995 - 1997
                                                   ------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Ratio of      2006 ITAC       2006 C/P      2007 ITAC       2007 C/P
          Target species                 Area          Retained       Total       retained     available to    sideboard     available to    sideboard
                                                        catch         catch       catch to      trawl C/Ps       limit        trawl C/Ps       limit
                                                                                total catch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod trawl                            BSAI   12,424         48,177      0.258          41,251         10,643         31,206         8,051
Sablefish trawl                                BS   8              497         0.016          1,199          19             1,148          18
                                               AI   0              145         0.000          638            0              582            0
Atka mackerel                          Central AI   n/a            n/a         n/a            n/a            n/a            n/a            n/a
                                      A season\1\   n/a            n/a         0.115          18,500         2,128          17,575         2,021
                                                HLA n/ait\2\       n/a         n/a            11,100         1,277          10,545         1,213
                                      B season\1\   n/a            n/a         0.115          18,500         2,128          17,575         2,021
                                                HLA n/ait\2\       n/a         n/a            11,100         1,277          10,545         1,213
                                       Western AI   n/a            n/a         n/a            n/a            n/a            n/a            n/a
                                      A season\1\   n/a            n/a         0.200          7,169          1,434          8,094          1,619
                                                HLA n/ait\2\       n/a         n/a            4,301          860            4,856          971
                                      B season\1\   n/a            n/a         0.200          7,169          1,434          8,094          1,619
                                                HLA n/ait\2\       n/a         n/a            4,301          860            4,856          971
Yellowfin sole                               BSAI   100,192        435,788     0.230          81,346         18,710         91,495         21,044
Rock sole                                    BSAI   6,317          169,362     0.037          35,275         1,305          37,400         1,384
Greenland turbot                               BS   121            17,305      0.007          1,607          11             1,543          11
                                               AI   23             4,987       0.005          723            4              693            3
Arrowtooth flounder                          BSAI   76             33,987      0.002          11,050         22             15,300         31
Flathead sole                                BSAI   1,925          52,755      0.036          16,575         597            18,700         673
Alaska plaice                                BSAI   14             9,438       0.001          6,800          7              12,750         13
Other flatfish                               BSAI   3,058          52,298      0.058          2,975          173            4,250          247
Pacific ocean perch                            BS   12             4,879       0.002          1,190          2              2,516          5
                                       Eastern AI   125            6,179       0.020          2,849          57             3,012          60
                                       Central AI   3              5,698       0.001          2,808          3              2,971          3
                                       Western AI   54             13,598      0.004          4,703          19             4,969          20
Northern rockfish                            BSAI   91             13,040      0.007          4,163          29             4,625          32
Shortraker rockfish                          BSAI   50             2,811       0.018          537            10             537            10
Rougheye rockfish                            BSAI   50             2,811       0.018          207            4              207            4
Other rockfish                                 BS   18             621         0.029          426            12             750            22
                                               AI   22             806         0.027          502            14             502            14
Squid                                        BSAI   73             3,328       0.022          1,084          24             1,084          24
Other species                                BSAI   553            68,672      0.008          24,650         197            22,950         184
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The seasonal apportionment of Atka mackerel in the open access fishery is 50 percent in the A season and 50 percent in the B season. Listed AFA
  catcher/processors are limited to harvesting no more than zero in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea, 20 percent of the annual ITAC
  specified for the Western Aleutian District, and 11.5 percent of the annual ITAC specified for the Central Aleutian District.

[[Page 55352]]

 
\2\ Harvest Limit Area (HLA) limit refers to the amount of each seasonal allowance that is available for fishing inside the HLA (see Sec.   679.2). In
  2006 and 2007, 60 percent of each seasonal allowance is available for fishing inside the HLA in the Western and Central Aleutian Districts.


               TABLE 14--2006 AND 2007 BSAI AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL SIDEBOARD LIMITS
                                          [Amounts are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Ratio of 1995-             2006 Catcher              2007 Catcher
                      Fishery by area/season/   1997 AFA CV      2006        vessel        2007        vessel
      Species             processor/gear       catch to 1995-   initial     sideboard     initial     sideboard
                                                  1997 TAC        TAC        limits         TAC        limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod                             BSAI   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                                    Jig gear   0.0000         3,510       0             2,656       0
                            Hook-and-line CV   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                              Jan 1 - Jun 10   0.0006         160         0             121         0
                             Jun 10 - Dec 31   0.0006         107         0             81          0
                                 Pot gear CV   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                              Jan 1 - Jun 10   0.0006         8,013       5             6,050       4
                             Sept 1 - Dec 31   0.0006         5,341       3             4,033       2
                               CV < 60 feet LOA0.0006         1,245       1             941         1
                        hook-and-line or pot
                                        gear
                               Trawl gear CV   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                              Jan 20 - Apr 1   0.8609         28,876      24,859        21,844      18,805
                              Apr 1 - Jun 10   0.8609         4,125       3,551         3,121       2,687
                              Jun 10 - Nov 1   0.8609         8,250       7,102         6,241       5,373
Sablefish                      BS trawl gear   0.0906         1,199       109           1,148       104
                               AI trawl gear   0.0645         638         41            582         38
Atka mackerel                  Eastern AI/BS   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                                    Jig gear   0.0031         69          0             69          0
                                  Other gear   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                              Jan 1 - Apr 15   0.0032         3,434       11            3,434       11
                              Sept 1 - Nov 1   0.0032         3,434       11            3,434       11
                                  Central AI   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                                Jan - Apr 15   0.0001         18,500      2             17,575      2
                                           HLA 0.0001         11,100      1             10,545      1
                              Sept 1 - Nov 1   0.0001         18,500      2             17,575      2
                                           HLA 0.0001         11,100      1             10,545      1
                                  Western AI   n/a            n/a         n/a           n/a         n/a
                                Jan - Apr 15   0.0000         7,169       0             8,094       0
                                           HLA n/ait          4,301       0             4,856       0
                              Sept 1 - Nov 1   0.0000         7,169       0             8,094       0
                                           HLA n/ait          4,301       0             4,856       0
Yellowfin sole                          BSAI   0.0647         81,346      5,263         91,495      5,920
Rock sole                               BSAI   0.0341         35,275      1,203         37,400      1,275
Greenland Turbot                          BS   0.0645         1,607       104           1,543       100
                                          AI   0.0205         723         15            693         14
Arrowtooth flounder                     BSAI   0.0690         11,050      762           15,300      1,056
Alaska plaice                           BSAI   0.0441         6,800       300           12,750      562
Other flatfish                          BSAI   0.0441         2,975       131           4,250       187
Pacific ocean perch                       BS   0.1000         1,190       119           2,516       252
                                  Eastern AI   0.0077         2,849       22            3,012       23
                                  Central AI   0.0025         2,808       7             2,971       7
                                  Western AI   0.0000         4,703       0             4,969       0
Northern rockfish                       BSAI   0.0084         4,163       35            4,625       39
Shortraker rockfish                     BSAI   0.0037         537         2             537         2
Rougheye rockfish                       BSAI   0.0037         207         1             207         1
Other rockfish                            BS   0.0048         426         2             750         4
                                          AI   0.0095         502         5             502         5
Squid                                   BSAI   0.3827         1,084       415           1,084       415
Other species                           BSAI   0.0541         24,650      1,334         22,950      1,242
Flathead Sole                  BS trawl gear   0.0505         16,575      837           18,700      944
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 adjustment of the 2006 Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI. 
ADF&G announced the closure of the state waters Pacific cod fishery in 
the Aleutian Islands subarea, effective 11:59 a.m., A.l.t, September 1, 
2006. Since the 2006 fisheries are currently underway, it is necessary 
to immediately adjust the TACs to allow harvest of additional Pacific 
cod in the BSAI. Immediate adjustment is necessary to allow for the 
orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, allow the 
industry to

[[Page 55353]]

plan for the remainder of the 2006 fishing season, and avoid potential 
disruption to the fishing fleet and processors.
    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.
    Under Sec.  679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit 
written comments on this action to the above address until October 4, 
2006.
    This action is required by Sec.  679.20 and Sec.  679.25 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: September 18, 2006.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8074 Filed 9-19-06; 1:45 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


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