05-20343. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Temporary rule; reallocation.

SUMMARY:

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using trawl and jig gear to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI. These actions are necessary to allow the 2005 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES:

Effective October 5, 2005, until 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI 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 U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.

The 2005 Pacific cod TAC in the BSAI is 190,550 metric tons (mt) as established by the 2005 and 2006 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A), 3,811 mt was allocated to vessels using jig gear, 97,181 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear, and 89,559 mt to vessels using trawl gear. The share of the Pacific cod TAC allocated to trawl gear was further allocated 50 percent to catcher vessels and 50 percent to catcher/processor vessels (§ 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B)). The share of the Pacific cod TAC allocated to hook-and-line or pot gear was further allocated 80 percent to catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear; 0.3 percent to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear; 3.3 percent to catcher/processor vessels using pot gear; 15 percent to catcher vessels using pot gear; and 1.4 percent to catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) that use either hook-and-line or pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(7)(i)(C)).

On April 13, 2005, 1,150 mt of Pacific cod from the A season apportionment of the jig gear allocation was reallocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear (70 FR 19708, April 14, 2005). On May 17, 2005, 350 mt of Pacific cod from the B season apportionment of the jig gear allocation was reallocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear (70 FR 28486, May 18, 2005). On August 5, 2005, an additional 500 mt of Pacific cod from the B season apportionment of the jig gear allocation was reallocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear (70 FR 46436, August 10, 2005).

As of September 23, 2005, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that trawl catcher/processor vessels will not be able to harvest 9,273 mt and trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 8,689 mt of Pacific cod allocated to those vessels under § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(C)(2), NMFS apportions 17,962 mt of Pacific cod from trawl gear to catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear and vessels using pot gear.

The Regional Administrator has also determined that vessels using jig gear will not harvest 1,611 mt of their Pacific cod allocation by the end of the year. Also, catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear will not be able to harvest any additional Pacific cod. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(C)(1) and § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(B), NMFS is reallocating the unused amount of 1,611 mt of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using jig gear to catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear.

The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, February 24, 2005) are revised as follows: 200 mt to vessels using jig gear, 96,019 mt to catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear, 15,238 mt to catcher vessels using pot gear, 3,352 mt to catcher/processor vessels using pot gear, 35,506 mt to catcher/processor vessels using trawl gear, and 36,090 mt to catcher vessels using trawl gear.

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 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 reallocation of projected unused amounts of Pacific cod in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish an action providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of September 23, 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.

This action is required by § 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: October 4, 2005.

Alan D. Risenhoover,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.