03-26294. 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:

Reallocation.

SUMMARY:

NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from vessels using trawl, jig, and pot gear to vessels using hook-and-line in the BSAI. These actions are necessary to allow the 2003 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.

DATES:

Effective October 14, 2003, until 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew N Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 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 2003 BSAI Pacific cod TAC was established by the final 2003 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (68 FR 9907, March 3, 2003) as 191,938 metric tons (mt). Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A), 3,893 mt was allocated to vessels using jig gear, 97,388 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear directed fishing allowance, and 90,211 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; 18.3 percent to vessels using pot gear; and 1.4 percent to catcher vessels less than 60 ft LOA that use either hook-and-line or pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(7)(i))).

As of September 27, 2003, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that trawl catcher/processors will not be able to harvest 11,000 mt and trawl catcher vessels will not be able to harvest 6,000 mt of Pacific cod allocated to those vessels under 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B). Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)), NMFS apportions 17,000 mt of Pacific cod from trawl gear to vessels using hook-and-line gear.

The Regional Administrator has determined that vessels using jig gear will not harvest 3,600 mt of their Pacific cod allocation by the end of the year. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)), NMFS is reallocating the unused amount of 3,600 mt of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using jig gear to vessels using hook-and-line gear.

The Regional Administrator has determined that vessels using pot gear will not be able to harvest 500 mt of their Pacific cod allocation by the end of the year. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)), NMFS is reallocating the unused amount of 500 mt of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using pot gear to vessels using hook-and-line gear.

In accordance with § 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(C)(1), 200 mt of the combined reallocation of unused Pacific cod from trawl, jig and pot gear is apportioned to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear.

The harvest specifications for Pacific cod included in the harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (68 FR 9907, March 3, 2003) are revised as follows: 293 mt to vessels using jig gear, 98,811 mt to catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear, 492 mt to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear, 17,322 mt to vessels using pot gear, 34,105 mt to trawl catcher/processors, and 39,105 mt to trawl catcher vessels.

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 the Agency from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the reallocation of the Pacific cod TAC, thus preventing full utilization of the TAC and reducing the public's ability to use and enjoy the fishery resource.

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 taken under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from OMB review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Dated: October 10, 2003.

Bruce C. Morehead,

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