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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 679

Docket ID: [Docket No. 021212307-3037-02; I.D. 032703E]

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Fishery conservation and management:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Closure.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels 60 Feet (18.3 m) Length Overall and Longer Using Hook-and-line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 28, 2003, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2003.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) and longer using hookandline gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2003 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using hookandline gear in this area.

SUMMARY: Pacific cod,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI 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 MagnusonStevens 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 A season apportionment of the 2003 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels using hookandline gear in the BSAI is 175 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2003 harvest specifications for groundfish of the BSAI (68 FR 9924, March 3, 2003).

In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the A season apportionment of the 2003 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to catcher vessels using hookandline gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall and longer using hookandline gear in the BSAI. Catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline gear in the BSAI may continue to participate in the directed fishery for Pacific cod under a separate Pacific cod allocation to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear.

Maximum retainable amounts may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

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 contrary to the public interest. This requirement is contrary to the public interest as it would delay the closure of the fishery, lead to exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2003 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels using hookandline gear in the BSAI, and therefore reduce the public's ability to use and enjoy the fishery resource.

The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30day 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 section 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Dated: March 27, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 037960 Filed 32803; 2:59 pm]
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.