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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 679

Docket ID: [Docket No. 071106673-8011-02]

RIN ID: RIN 0648-XH36

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Temporary rule; modification of a closure.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 30, 2008, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2008. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., May 8, 2008.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hookandline or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully use the 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear in the BSAI.

SUMMARY: Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 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.

NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear in the BSAI under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 21, 2008 (73 FR 15677, March 25, 2008).

NMFS has determined that as of April 11, 2008, approximately 475 metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2008 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2008 TAC of Pacific cod specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear in the BSAI, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear in the BSAI. The opening is effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 30, 2008, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2008.

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 NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data in a timely fashion and would delay the opening of the Pacific cod fishery by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear in the BSAI. Immediate notification is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, to allow the industry to plan for the fishing season, and to avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet and processors. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of April 17, 2008.

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.

Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hookandline or pot gear in the BSAI to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until May 8, 2008.

This action is required by Sec. 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Dated: April 18, 2008.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E89006 Filed 42308; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351022S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Jennifer Hogan, 907-586-7228.

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