Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2007/08/06/07-3829/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-ocean-perch-for-trawl-catcher-vessels
Timestamp: 2017-09-24 06:00:37
Document Index: 293158798

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 600', 'art 679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679', '§\u2009679']

Federal Register :: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch for Trawl Catcher Vessels Participating in the Rockfish Entry Level Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch for Trawl Catcher Vessels Participating in the Rockfish Entry Level Fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 08/06/2007
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 1, 2007, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 2007.
72 FR 43564
43564-43565 (2 pages)
0648-XB81
07-3829
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/07-3829 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/07-3829
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch for trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2007 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch allocated to trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Start Printed Page 43565Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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 § 679.83(a)(1)(i), allocations of entry level rockfish to trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area are first made from the Pacific ocean perch TAC. Trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level program are allocated northern rockfish and pelagic shelf rockfish only if the amount of Pacific ocean perch available for allocation is less than the total allocation allowable for the trawl catcher vessels. NMFS has determined that the 2007 TAC of Pacific ocean perch meets or exceeds the total allocation of rockfish allowable for the trawl catcher vessels.
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2007 TAC of Pacific ocean perch allocated to trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 347 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 0 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 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 ocean perch allocated to trawl catcher vessels participating in the entry level rockfish fishery in the Central Regulatory Area.
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 ocean perch for trawl catcher vessels participating in the rockfish entry level fishery in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of July 31, 2007.
This action is required by § 679.20 and § 679.83 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
[FR Doc. 07-3829 Filed 8-1-07; 2:17 pm]