[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 29512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13660]



[[Page 29512]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 010112013-1013-01; I.D. 052501F]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-
water Species Fishery by Vessels using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise 
the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using 
pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed 
fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the second 
seasonal apportionment of the 2001 halibut bycatch allowance specified 
for the trawl shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 26, 2001, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance for the GOA trawl shallow-
water species fishery, which is defined at Sec.  679.21(d)(3)(iii)(A), 
was established by the Final 2001 Harvest Specifications and Associated 
Management Measures for the Groundfish Fisheries Off Alaska (66 FR 
7276, January 22, 2001) for the second season, the period April 1, 
2001, through June 10, 2001, as 100 metric tons. The GOA trawl shallow-
water species fishery was closed under Sec.  679.20(d)(7)(i) on March 
27, 2001 (66 FR 21886, May 2, 2001) and reopened on May 21, 2001 (66 FR 
28679, May 24, 2001).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of 
the 2001 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl 
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught. Consequently, 
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species included in the 
shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, 
except for vessels fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear in 
those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. The 
species and species groups that comprise the shallow-water species 
fishery are: Pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead 
sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species''.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec.  679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, finds that the need to immediately implement this action to 
prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of the 2001 Pacific 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl shallow-water species 
fishery in the GOA constitutes good cause to waive the requirement to 
provide prior notice opportunity for public comment pursuant to the 
authority set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 50 CFR 
679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A), as such procedures would be unnecessary and 
contrary to the public interest. Similarly, the need to implement these 
measures in a timely fashion to prevent exceeding the second seasonal 
apportionment of the 2001 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified 
for the trawl shallow-water species fishery in the GOA constitutes good 
cause to find that the effective date of this action cannot be delayed 
for 30 days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the 
effective date is hereby waived.
    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: May 25, 2001.
Richard W. Surdi.
Acting Office Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-13660 Filed 5-25-01; 3:33 pm]
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