[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 57 (Monday, March 24, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 15458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1066]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 071106673-8011-02]
RIN 0648-XG59


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch for Vessels in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Trawl 
Limited Access Fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District of the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch 
for vessels participating in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) 
trawl limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District of the 
BSAI. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2008 Pacific 
ocean perch allowable catch (TAC) specified for vessels participating 
in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian 
District of the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 19, 2008, 
through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
(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 2008 Pacific ocean perch TAC allocated as a directed fishing 
allowance to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access 
fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District of the BSAI is 214 metric tons 
(mt) as established by the 2008 and 2009 final harvest specifications 
for groundfish in the BSAI (73 FR 10160, February 26, 2008).
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 
2008 Pacific ocean perch TAC allocated to vessels participating in the 
BSAI trawl limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District of 
the BSAI will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by vessels participating in 
the BSAI trawl limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District 
of the BSAI.
    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 ocean perch by vessels participating 
in the BSAI trawl limited access fishery in the Eastern Aleutian 
District of the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing 
time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only 
became available as of March 18, 2008.
    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 Sec.  679.91 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: March 19, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 08-1066 Filed 3-19-08; 1:57pm]
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