[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8638]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 060216044-6044-01; I.D. 100606A]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Gear 
in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for directed 
fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those 
portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This action 
is necessary because the 2006 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch 
(PSC) limit specified for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA has been 
reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 8, 2006, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 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.
    The 2006 Pacific halibut PSC limit for vessels using trawl gear is 
2,000 metric tons as established by the 2006 and 2007 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (71 FR 10870, March 3, 2006).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(7)(i), that the 2006 Pacific halibut 
PSC limit specified for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA has been 
reached. Therefore, NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish by 
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except for directed fishing for 
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the 
GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock.
    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 closure of directed fishing for groundfish by vessels 
using trawl gear in 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 October 5, 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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: October 6, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8638 Filed 10-6-06; 2:19 pm]
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