[Federal Register: March 20, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 54)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13635]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20mr03-17]
[[Page 13635]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
Docket No. 021212307-3037-3037-02; I.D. 031303B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher/processor Vessels Using Hook-and-line Gear in the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NationalOceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line 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 for catcher/processor
vessels using hook-and-line gear in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 15, 2003,
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY 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
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 A season apportionment of the 2003 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI was
established as a directed fishing allowance of 46,747 metric tons by
the final 2003 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (68 FR
9907, March 3, 2003). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii), Sec. 679.20(c)(5),
and Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A) and (C).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the A
season apportionment of the 2003 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a
directed fishing allowance to catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-
line gear in the BSAI will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processor
vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
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, and therefore reduce 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 required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 14, 2003.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-6715 Filed 3-17-03; 1:07 pm]
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