Rule: Fishery conservation and management:
Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone—
Pacific cod, 50002 [06-7123] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Original Title
Rule: Fishery conservation and management:
Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone— Pacific cod
Rule: Fishery conservation and management:
Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone—
Pacific cod, 50002 [06-7123] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Rule: Fishery conservation and management:
Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone—
Pacific cod, 50002 [06-7123] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
164 / Thursday, August 24, 2006 / Rules and Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE under authority of the Magnuson- Classification
Stevens Fishery Conservation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Management Act. Regulations governing This action responds to the best Administration fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance available information recently obtained with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 from the fishery. The Assistant 50 CFR Part 679 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA The 2006 Pacific cod sideboard limits (AA), finds good cause to waive the [Docket No. 060216044–6044–01; I.D. 081606A] apportioned to non-AFA crab vessels requirement to provide prior notice and catching Pacific cod for processing by opportunity for public comment Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic the inshore component is 587 metric pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Non- tons (mt) for the Central Regulatory Area U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is American Fisheries Act Crab Vessels of the GOA and 981 mt for the Western impracticable and contrary to the public Catching Pacific Cod for Processing Regulatory Area of the GOA, as interest. This requirement is by the Inshore Component in the established by the 2006 and 2007 impracticable and contrary to the public Central and Western Regulatory Areas harvest specifications for groundfish of interest as it would prevent NMFS from of the Gulf of Alaska the GOA (71 FR 10888, March 3, 2006). responding to the most recent fisheries In accordance with § 680.22(e)(2)(i), data in a timely fashion and would AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries the Administrator, Alaska Region, Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and delay the sideboard directed fishing NMFS (Regional Administrator), has closure of Pacific cod apportioned to Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), determined that the 2006 harvest limit Commerce. non-AFA crab vessels catching Pacific of Pacific cod apportioned to non-AFA ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. cod for processing by the inshore crab vessels catching Pacific cod for component of the Central and Western processing by the inshore component of SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed Regulatory Areas of the GOA. NMFS the Central and Western Regulatory fishing for Pacific cod by non-American was unable to publish a notice Areas of the GOA will soon be reached. Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels providing time for public comment Therefore, the Regional Administrator is catching Pacific cod for processing by because the most recent, relevant data establishing a sideboard directed fishing the inshore component in the Central only became available as of August 17, allowance for Pacific cod as 562 mt in and Western Regulatory Areas of the 2006. the Central Regulatory Area, and 956 mt Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is in the Western Regulatory Area. The The AA also finds good cause to necessary to prevent exceeding the 2006 remaining 25 mt in the Central waive the 30 day delay in the effective Pacific cod sideboard limits apportioned Regulatory Area and 25 mt in the date of this action under 5 U.S.C. to non-AFA crab vessels catching Western Regulatory Area will be set 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon Pacific cod for processing by the inshore aside as bycatch to support other the reasons provided above for waiver of component of the Central and Western anticipated groundfish fisheries. In prior notice and opportunity for public Regulatory Areas of the GOA. accordance with § 680.22(e)(3), the comment. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local Regional Administrator finds that this time (A.l.t.), August 21, 2006, until 2400 This action is required by § 680.22 sideboard directed fishing allowance hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2006. has been reached. Consequently, NMFS and is exempt from review under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Executive Order 12866. Jennifer Hogan, 907–586–7228. cod by non-AFA crab vessels catching Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS Pacific cod for processing by the inshore Dated: August 18, 2006. manages the groundfish fishery in the component in the Central and Western GOA exclusive economic zone Alan D. Risenhoover, Regulatory Areas of the GOA. according to the Fishery Management After the effective date of this closure Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of the maximum retainable amounts at National Marine Fisheries Service. Alaska (FMP) prepared by the North § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time [FR Doc. 06–7123 Filed 8–21–06; 12:29 pm] Pacific Fishery Management Council during a trip. BILLING CODE 3510–22–S rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES1
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