[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 165 (Monday, August 25, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49963-49964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19665]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

RIN 0648-XH70


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Final rule; agency decision.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the Commerce Secretary's approval of Amendment 
79 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska 
(FMP). Amendment 79 amends the FMP and requires the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council (Council) to recommend an aggregate 
overfishing level and acceptable biological catch for the ``other 
species'' category in the Gulf of Alaska as part of the annual 
groundfish harvest specifications process. The ``other species'' 
category in the Gulf of Alaska consists of sharks, sculpins, squid, and 
octopus. Amendment 79 is necessary to allow the Council and NMFS to 
incorporate the best and most recent scientific and socioeconomic 
information for the specification of the ``other species'' total 
allowable catch, acceptable biological catch, and overfishing level. 
This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the FMP, and 
other applicable laws.

DATES: This agency decision is effective on August 20, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Copies of Amendment 79 and the Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for this action may be obtained from the NMFS Alaska Region at 709 West 
9th Street, Room 420A, Juneau, AK 99802, or from the Alaska Region 
website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Hogan, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that each regional 
fishery management council submit any fishery management plan or 
fishery management plan amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and 
approval, disapproval, or partial approval by the Secretary of 
Commerce. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, upon 
receiving a fisheries management plan amendment, immediately publish a 
notice in the Federal Register announcing that the amendment is 
available for public review and comment.
    The Council submitted Amendment 79 to NMFS on May 19, 2008. The 
notice of availability for Amendment 79 was published in the Federal 
Register on May 29, 2008 (73 FR 30875). The public comment period 
closed on July 28, 2008. NMFS received no comments on the proposed 
amendment.
    In April 2008, the Council unanimously recommended Amendment 79 to 
the FMP. The purpose of Amendment 79 is to provide a sound biological 
basis for the setting of the ``other species'' total allowable catch 
(TAC) and to provide for an annual review of the stock status of the 
``other species'' category to further reduce the risk of overfishing 
the species in this category. Amendment 79

[[Page 49964]]

authorizes the Council to recommend an aggregate overfishing level 
(OFL) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the ``other species'' 
category in the Gulf of Alaska as part of the annual groundfish harvest 
specifications process. The revised process allows the Council to 
incorporate the best and most recent scientific and socioeconomic 
information and public testimony in its recommendation for an annual 
``other species'' TAC. Amendment 79 is intended to comply with the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, particularly National Standard 1 and section 
303(a), and other applicable laws.
    An EA was prepared for Amendment 79 that describes the management 
background, the purpose and need for action, the management 
alternatives, and the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the 
alternatives (see ADDRESSES). The aggregate overfishing level, 
acceptable biological catch, and total allowable catch for the ``other 
species'' category will be presented in the proposed 2009 and 2010 
harvest specifications.

    Dated: August 20, 2008.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-19665 Filed 8-22-08; 8:45 am]
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