2013-20405. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Thornyhead Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
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Start Preamble
AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Temporary rule; closure.
SUMMARY:
NMFS is prohibiting retention of thornyhead rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2013 total allowable catch of thornyhead rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.
DATES:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 17, 2013, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2013.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY 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 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) of thornyhead rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 150 metric tons as established by the final 2013 and 2014 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (78 FR 13162, February 26, 2013).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2013 TAC of thornyhead rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that thornyhead rockfish caught in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with § 679.21(b).Start Printed Page 51676
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. The Acting 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 thornyhead 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 August 15, 2013.
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 §§ 679.20 and 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Start SignatureDated: August 16, 2013.
Kelly Denit,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20405 Filed 8-16-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 8/17/2013
- Published:
- 08/21/2013
- Department:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Temporary rule; closure.
- Document Number:
- 2013-20405
- Dates:
- Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 17, 2013, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2013.
- Pages:
- 51675-51676 (2 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Docket No. 120918468-3111-02
- RINs:
- 0648-XC81
- PDF File:
- 2013-20405.pdf
- Supporting Documents:
- » IRFA GOA Groundfish Specs 2013-2014
- » Final EIS Groundfsh Harvest Specs
- » Supplementary Information Report
- CFR: (1)
- 50 CFR 679