[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 159 (Friday, August 15, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18935]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 071106673-8011-02]
RIN 0648-XJ73


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka 
Mackerel Lottery in Areas 542 and 543

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

ACTION: Notification of fishery assignments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is notifying the owners and operators of registered 
vessels of their assignments for the 2008 B season Atka mackerel 
fishery in harvest limit area (HLA) 542 and/or 543 of the Aleutian 
Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the harvest of the 2008 B 
season HLA limits established for area 542 and area 543 pursuant to the 
2008 and 2009 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 12, 2008, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 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.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii)(A), owners and operators 
of vessels using trawl gear for directed fishing for Atka mackerel in 
the HLA are required to register with NMFS. Eight vessels have 
registered with NMFS to fish in the B season HLA fisheries in areas 542 
and/or 543. In accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii)(B), the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has randomly assigned each vessel 
to the HLA directed fishery for Atka mackerel for which they have 
registered and is now notifying each vessel of its assignment.
    For the Amendment 80 cooperative, the vessels authorized to 
participate in the first HLA directed fishery in area 542 and the 
second HLA directed fishery in area 543 in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(8)(iii) is as follows: Federal Fishery Permit number (FFP) 
2733 Seafreeze Alaska and FFP 3835 Seafisher. The vessel authorized to 
participate in the first HLA directed fishery in area 543 and the 
second HLA directed fishery in area 542 in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(8)(iii) is as follows: FFP 2134 Ocean Peace.
    For the Amendment 80 limited access sector, vessels authorized to 
participate in the first HLA directed fishery in area 542 and in the 
second HLA directed fishery in area 543 in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(a)(8)(iii) are as follows: FFP 4093 Alaska Victory and FFP 3819 
Alaska Spirit. Vessels authorized to participate in the first HLA 
directed fishery in area 543 and in the second HLA directed fishery in 
area 542 in accordance with Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii) are as follows: FFP 
2443 Alaska Juris and FFP 3423 Alaska Warrior.
    For the BSAI trawl limited access sector, the vessel authorized to 
participate in the first HLA directed fishery in area 542 in accordance 
with Sec.  679.20(a)(8)(iii) is as follows: FFP 11770 Alaska Knight.

Classification

    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 unnecessary. This notice merely 
advises the owners of these vessels of the results of a random 
assignment required by regulation. The notice needs to occur 
immediately to notify the owner of each vessel of its assignment to 
allow these vessel owners to plan for participation in the B season HLA 
fisheries in area 542 and area 543.
    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: August 12, 2008.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-18935 Filed 8-12-08; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S