[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 41 (Friday, March 2, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9450-9451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-954]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213032-7032-01; I.D. 022607C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component 
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 Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component 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 
Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing 
by the inshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 27, 
2007, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 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 A season allocation of the 2007 TAC of Pacific cod apportioned 
to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component 
of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 15,339 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the 2007 and 2008 harvest specifications for groundfish 
of the GOA that will publish in March, 2007.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the A season 
allocation of the 2007 TAC of Pacific cod apportioned to vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore

[[Page 9451]]

component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 8,519 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 2,500 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 Pacific 
cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore 
component in the Central Regulatory Area of the 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 Pacific cod apportioned to vessels catching 
Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component of the Central 
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 February 23, 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: January 26, 2007.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 07-954 Filed 2-27-07; 2:41 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S