[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 21, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42337-42338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17833]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 0910131362-0087-02]
RIN 0648-XX70
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other
rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary because the 2010 total allowable catch (TAC) of ``other
rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 16, 2010,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh Keaton, 907-586-7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
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.
The 2010 TAC of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area
of the GOA is 212 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2010 and
2011 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (75 FR 11749,
March 12, 2010).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2010 TAC
of ``other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that ``other rockfish''
caught in the Western
[[Page 42338]]
Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in
accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).
``Other rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA means
slope and demersal shelf rockfish.
Classification
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 prohibiting the retention of ``other rockfish'' in the
Western 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 15, 2010.
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 Sec. 679.21 and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 16, 2010.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-17833 Filed 7-16-10; 4:15 pm]
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