E8-26701. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

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

    ACTION:

    Temporary rule; closure.

    SUMMARY:

    NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This closure also does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Pilot Program for the Central GOA. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2008 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit specified for vessels using trawl gear in the GOA.

    DATES:

    Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 6, 2008, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2008.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Jennifer Hogan, 907-586-7228.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    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 2008 Pacific halibut PSC limit for vessels using trawl gear was established as 2,000 metric tons by the 2008 and 2009 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (73 FR 10562, February 27, 2008).

    In accordance with § 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Regional Administrator has determined that the 2008 Pacific halibut PSC limit allocated to vessels using trawl gear in the GOA will soon be reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except for directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in Start Printed Page 66562those portions of the GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock. This closure also does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Pilot Program for the Central GOA.

    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 closing directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in 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 November 4, 2008.

    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 § 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Start Authority

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

    End Authority Start Signature

    Dated: November 5, 2008.

    Emily H. Menashes,

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

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. E8-26701 Filed 11-5-08; 4:15 pm]

    BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Effective Date:
11/6/2008
Published:
11/10/2008
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Temporary rule; closure.
Document Number:
E8-26701
Dates:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 6, 2008, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2008.
Pages:
66561-66562 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 071106671-8010-02
RINs:
0648-XL65
PDF File:
e8-26701.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679