[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 36 (Thursday, February 23, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10039-10040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4445]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 663

[Docket No. 950209046-5046-01; I.D. 021495B]
RIN 0648-AG82


Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Modification of Nontrawl 
Sablefish Season

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

ACTION: Temporary rule.

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SUMMARY: By a separate notice in the Federal Register, NMFS will 
publish proposed regulations that would establish a new season 
structure for the nontrawl sablefish component of the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish (PCG) limited entry fishery. The proposed new regular season 
would begin at noon August 6 each year. Under the regulations currently 
governing the fishery, the PCG nontrawl sablefish regular season could 
start as early as February 26, 1995, preceded by a 72-hour closure 
beginning on February 23. This early season is unacceptable to the 
industry for a number of reasons, particularly safety, but also because 
at that time the quality and market value of sablefish is lower and 
there are alternative fishing opportunities. Accordingly, NMFS is 
temporarily amending the current regulations to prevent the PCG 
nontrawl sablefish regular season from opening pending the completion 
of the above-mentioned rulemaking to establish a new season structure 
for the fishery.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective from February 17, 1995, through 
September 1, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Information relevant to this temporary rule is available for 
public review during business hours at the Office of the Director, 
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Seattle, 
WA 98115-0070; and at the Office of the Director, Southwest Region, 
NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Copies 
of the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR) can 
be obtained from the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 2000 
SW First Avenue, Suite 420, Portland, OR 97201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson at 206-526-6140, 
or Rodney R. McInnis at 310-980-4030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    By a separate notice in the Federal Register, NMFS, based on a 
recommendation of the Council, will propose regulations that would 
establish a new season structure for the nontrawl sablefish component 
of the PCG limited entry fishery. The proposed new regular season would 
begin at noon August 6 each year. Both the limited entry and open-
access fisheries would be required to remove all nontrawl gear from the 
water for the 72-hour period just prior to the start of the regular 
season for the limited entry fishery, except that baited pot gear may 
be deployed 24 hours prior to the start.
    Under section IV.E.(3)(c) of the current annual specifications for 
the fishery, the limited entry sector of the nontrawl sablefish fishery 
is subject to a 300-lb (136 kg) daily trip limit when N. of 
36 deg.00'00'' N. lat. and a 350-lb (159 kg) daily trip limit when S. 
of 36 deg.00'00'' N. lat. (60 FR 2331, 2343, January 9, 1995). Under 
the current regulations (50 CFR 663.23(b)(2)(i)), the opening of the 
PCG nontrawl sablefish regular season is linked to the first nontrawl 
sablefish season opening in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), which normally 
occurs in May. Under the new GOA Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) 
program, which is governed by 50 CFR part 676, the Alaska season could 
start as early as March 1, 1995, causing the PCG fishery to open on 
February 26, 1995, preceded by a 72-hour closure beginning on February 
23. This early season is unacceptable to the industry for a number of 
reasons, particularly safety, but also because at that time the quality 
and market value of sablefish is lower and there are alternative 
fishing opportunities.
    Accordingly, NMFS is temporarily amending the current regulations 
to prevent the PCG nontrawl sablefish regular season from opening 
pending the completion of the above-mentioned rulemaking to establish a 
new season structure for the fishery.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, (AA), has 
determined that this temporary rule is consistent with the Pacific 
Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, the Magnuson Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, and other applicable law.
    This temporary rule has been determined to be not significant for 
the purposes of E.O. 12866.
    The Council prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the 
proposed establishment of a new season structure for the nontrawl 
sablefish component of the PCG limited entry fishery.
    On the basis of the EA, the AA concluded that there would be no 
significant impact on the environment.
    NMFS is taking this action under the abbreviated rulemaking 
authority of the FMP (see 50 CFR part 663, Appendix III.B.3). This 
action and the proposed establishment of a new season structure was 
discussed, and was subject to public comment and scrutiny during 
Council meetings in August and October, 1994. The date the season would 
have opened under the existing rule is still uncertain, but the opening 
is tied to the opening date of the nontrawl sablefish season in the GOA 
and would probably be February 26. A late February opening is not 
desirable for several reasons, including potentially unsafe fishing 
conditions due to rough winter weather along much of the coast.
    Accordingly, the AA has determined under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) that it 
is unnecessary and contrary to the public interest to provide prior 
notice in the Federal Register and to provide an opportunity for public 
comment on preventing the PCG nontrawl sablefish regular season from 
opening pending the completion of the above mentioned rulemaking to 
establish a new season structure for the fishery.
    For the same reasons, the AA also finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 
[[Page 10040]] 553(d)(3) not to delay the effectiveness of this 
temporary rule for 30 days. Otherwise the regular season could open as 
early as February 26, 1995, preceded by a 72-hour closure beginning on 
February 23.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 663

    Fisheries, Fishing, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: February 16, 1995.
Gary Matlock,
Program Management Officer, National Marine Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 663 is 
temporarily amended effective February 17, 1995, through September 1, 
1995, as follows:

PART 663--PACIFIC COAST GROUNDFISH FISHERY

    l. The authority citation for part 663 continues to read as 
follows:

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

    2. In Sec. 663.23, paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (b)(2)(iv) are 
suspended, and paragraph (b)(2)(v) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 663.23  Catch restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) The regular season for the nontrawl sablefish fishery is 
postponed pending the establishment of a new season structure. Trip 
landing, frequency, and/or size limits may be imposed under paragraph 
(c) of this section.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 95-4445 Filed 2-17-95; 3:02 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F