[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1872]
[Federal Register: January 28, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 675
[Docket No. 90899-0015; I.D. 012494A]
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Change in observer coverage; suspension of effectiveness.
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SUMMARY: On January 20, 1994, NMFS published a change in observer
coverage for certain participants in the groundfish fishery of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). NMFS is suspending until
February 13, 1994, the effectiveness of the requirement for operators
of catcher or processor vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3
m) length overall (LOA) and less than 125 feet (38.1 m) LOA to have a
NMFS-certified observer on board the vessel each day it is used to
participate in a directed fishery for groundfish in statistical area
517 during the period that the 1994 directed fishery is open for
Pacific cod in the BSAI management area. This action is necessary to
provide adequate time for operators of catcher or processor vessels to
comply with the new observer requirements.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective January 25, 1994, the effectiveness of the
observer coverage requirements published January 20, 1994, at 59 FR
3000 is suspended until 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February
13, 1994, and expires 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ellen R. Varosi, Fishery Biologist, Fisheries Management Division,
Alaska Region, NMFS, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS published a notice in the Federal
Register (58 FR 65574, December 15, 1993) for public review and comment
that proposed a change in 1994 observer coverage requirements for
vessels participating in a directed fishery for groundfish in
statistical area 517 in the BSAI management area. A rule document
implementing this action became effective January 13, 1994, the date of
filing with the Office of the Federal Register (59 FR 3000, January 20,
1994). This action requires operators of catcher or processor vessels
equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA and less than 125 feet
(38.1 m) LOA to have a NMFS-certified observer on board the vessel each
day that it is used to participate in a directed fishery for groundfish
in statistical area 517 during the period that the 1994 directed
fishery is open for Pacific cod. Reasons for this action are set forth
in the proposed and final Federal Register rule documents.
The 30-day delayed effectiveness period under section 553(d)(3) of
the Administrative Procedure Act was waived for reasons contained in
the final rule document implementing the change in observer coverage.
NMFS has determined that not all vessel operators had sufficient notice
of the change in observer coverage requirements to obtain a NMFS-
certified observer prior to the January 13, 1994, effective date.
Therefore, NMFS is suspending the effectiveness of the requirement
until 12 noon A.l.t., February 13, 1994.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.25 and is in compliance with
E.O. 12866. Because this action is required to provide relief to vessel
owners who otherwise would be unable to comply with observer coverage
requirements, it is unnecessary and not in the public interest to
provide prior public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3). Also, because
this action temporarily relieves a restriction, it is being made
effective immediately without a 30-day delay in effectiveness under 5
U.S.C. 553(d)(1).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 675
Fisheries, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
Dated: January 25, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1872 Filed 1-25-94; 2:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M
