[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 65 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 18219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1089]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 071106673-8011-02]
RIN 0648-XG86


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by American Fisheries Act Catcher Processors Using Trawl Gear in 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 cod by 
American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher processors in the Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary 
to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the 2008 Pacific cod 
total allowable catch (TAC) specified for AFA trawl catcher processors 
in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 1, 2008, 
though 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 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 B season allowance of the 2008 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA 
trawl catcher processors in the BSAI is 877 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)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the B season 
allowance of the 2008 Pacific cod TAC allocated to AFA catcher 
processors in the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 0 mt, and 
is setting aside the remaining 877 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 AFA trawl catcher processors in 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 cod by AFA trawl catcher processors 
in 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 27, 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: March 28, 2008.
Alan D. Risenhoover
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 08-1089 Filed 3-31-08; 3:59 pm]
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