[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 11, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4441]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213032-7032-01]
RIN 0648-XC47


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern 
Rockfish for Catcher Processors Participating in the Rockfish Limited 
Access Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish for 
catcher processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2007 total allowable catch (TAC) 
of northern rockfish allocated to catcher processors participating in 
the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 6, 
2007, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2007.

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 2007 TAC of northern rockfish allocated to catcher processors 
participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central GOA 
is 675 metric tons (mt) as established by Sec.  679.81(b)(2) and the 
2007 and 2008 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (72 FR 
9676, March 5, 2007), and as posted as the 2007 Rockfish Program 
Allocations at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/goarat/default.htm.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2007 TAC 
of northern rockfish allocated to catcher processors participating in 
the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central GOA will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 675 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 0 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish 
fisheries. 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 
northern rockfish for catcher processors participating in the rockfish 
limited access fishery in the Central GOA.
    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 northern rockfish for catcher processors 
participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central 
GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public 
comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as 
of September 5, 2007.
    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: September 6, 2007.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-4441 Filed 9-6-07; 1:54 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S