Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/09/07/05-17712/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-atka-mackerel-in-the-bering-sea-and-aleutian
Timestamp: 2017-05-22 15:53:35
Document Index: 314146769

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

A Rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 09/07/2005
53101-53102
I.D. 082305C
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/05-17712
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 Start Printed Page 53102U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2005 TAC of Atka mackerel specified for other gear in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea was established as 6,868 metric tons (mt) by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005). See § 679.20(a)(8)(ii) and (c)(3)(iii).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that 350 mt of the 2005 Atka mackerel TAC for other gear in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea will be necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 6,518 mt. 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 Atka mackerel TAC by vessels using other gear in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea. In accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(C), the Regional Administrator is opening the first directed fisheries for Atka mackerel within the HLA in areas 542 and 543, 48 hours after the closure of the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea Atka mackerel directed fishery. The Regional Administrator has established the opening date for the second HLA directed fisheries as 48 hours after the last closure of the first HLA fisheries in either 542 or 543. Consequently, NMFS is opening and closing directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and 543 in accordance with the periods listed under Table 1 of this notice.
Table 1. Effective dates and timesActionAreaEffective Dates*FromToClosing Atka Mackerel with gears other than jigEastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea1200 hrs, September 2, 20052400 hrs, December 31, 2005Opening the first directed fishery in the HLA5421200 hrs, September 4, 20051200 hrs, September 12, 2005 5431200 hrs, September 4, 20051200 hrs, September 11, 2005Opening the second directed fishery in the HLA5421200 hrs, September 14, 20051200 hrs, September 22, 2005 5431200 hrs, September 14, 20051200 hrs, September 21, 2005* Alaska local time
In accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(iii), vessels using trawl gear for directed fishing for Atka mackerel have previously registered with NMFS to fish in the HLA fisheries in areas 542 and/or 543. NMFS has randomly assigned each vessel to the directed fishery or fisheries for which they have registered. NMFS has notified each vessel owner as to which fishery each vessel has been assigned by NMFS. (70 FR 49197, August 23, 2005).
In accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(ii)(C)(1), the HLA limits of the 2005 TACs in areas 542 and 543 are 9,851 mt and 5,550 mt, respectively. Based on those limits and the proportion of the number of vessels in each fishery compared to the total number of vessels participating in the HLA directed fishery for area 542 or 543, the harvest limit for each HLA directed fishery in areas 542 and 543 are as follows: for the first directed fishery in area 542, 4,926 mt; for the first directed fishery in area 543, 2,775 mt; for the second directed fishery in area 542, 4,925 mt; and for the second directed fishery in area 543, 2,775 mt. In accordance with § 679.20(a)(8)(iii)(E), the Regional Administrator has established the closure dates of the Atka mackerel directed fisheries in the HLA for areas 542 and 543 based on the amount of the harvest limit and the estimated fishing capacity of the vessels assigned to the respective fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the HLA of areas 542 and 543 in accordance with the dates and times listed in Table 1 of this notice.
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) and 50 CFR 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A) as such a 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 the Atka mackerel fishery in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea and the opening and closures of the fisheries for the HLA limits established for the area 542 and area 543 pursuant to the 2005 Atka mackerel TAC. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of August 15, 2005. 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.
[FR Doc. 05-17712 Filed 9-1-05; 2:08 pm]