[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 30, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44172-44173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1477]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 071106671-8010-02]
RIN 0648-XJ36


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 by 
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 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) 
of northern

[[Page 44173]]

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.), July 25, 2008, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2008.

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 2008 TAC of northern rockfish allocated to catcher processors 
participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central GOA 
is 514 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2008 and 2009 harvest 
specifications for groundfish of the GOA (73 FR 10562, February 27, 
2008), and as posted as the 2008 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 2008 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 514 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 by 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 by 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 July 24, 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 is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: July 25, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 08-1477 Filed 7-25-08; 3:29 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S