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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 679
Docket ID: [Docket No. 021122286-3036-02; I.D. 101403B]
NOTICE: RULES
ACTION: Fishery conservation and management:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Closure.
SUBJECT CATEGORY: Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 15, 2003, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2003.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY: NMFS is closing 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 action is necessary because the 2003 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit specified for trawl gear in the GOA has been caught.
SUMMARY: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone—; Groundfish trawl fisheries,
SUPPLEMENTAL 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 2003 Pacific halibut PSC limit for vessels using trawl was established as 2,000 metric tons (mt) by the final 2003 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (68 FR 9924, March 3, 2003).
The Administrator, Alaska Region, has determined, in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), that vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish with trawl gear in the GOA have caught the 2003 Pacific halibut PSC limit. Therefore, NMFS is closing the directed fishery for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except for directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock. 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 2003 Pacific halibut PSC limit 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 Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 14, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 0326392 Filed 101503; 3:31 pm]
BILLING CODE 351022S
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.
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14 CFR Part 39 40 CFR Part 52 14 CFR Part 71 33 CFR Part 165 26 CFR Part 1 50 CFR Part 679 40 CFR Part 180 47 CFR Part 73 33 CFR Part 117 50 CFR Part 17 44 CFR Part 67 50 CFR Part 648 14 CFR Part 97 33 CFR Part 100 40 CFR Part 63 26 CFR Part 301 50 CFR Part 622 39 CFR Part 111 40 CFR Part 300 50 CFR Part 660 44 CFR Part 65 40 CFR Parts 52 and 81 40 CFR Part 271 47 CFR Part 64 14 CFR Part 23 14 CFR Part 25 21 CFR Part 522 50 CFR Part 665 47 CFR Part 76 27 CFR Part 9