[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8821-8822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-706]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 070213033-7033-01]
RIN 0648-XF62


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA Using Jig or Hook-
and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area 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 
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (< 18.3 meters (m)) length overall 
(LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod 
exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of 
Pacific cod for catcher vessels < 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-
and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 12, 
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 
BSAI 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.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that 113 
metric tons of Pacific cod have been caught by catcher vessels < 60 ft 
(18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof exemption 
area described at Sec.  679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1). Consequently, the 
Regional Administrator is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod 
by catcher vessels < 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear 
in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area.
    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

[[Page 8822]]

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 catcher vessels < 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using 
jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area. 
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment 
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of 
February 11, 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.  679.22 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: February 11, 2008.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 08-706 Filed 2-12-08; 2:08 pm]
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