9478 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No.

37 / Friday, February 24, 2006 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE is closing directed fishing for rock sole, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
flathead sole, and ‘‘other flatfish’’ by
National Oceanic and Atmospheric vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Administration
‘‘Other flatfish’’ includes Alaska
plaice, as well as all other flatfish
50 CFR Part 679 50 CFR Part 679
species except for Pacific halibut (a
[Docket No. 041126332–5039–02; I.D. prohibited species), Greenland turbot, [Docket No. 041126332–5039–02; I.D.
022106B] rock sole, yellowfin sole, flathead sole, 021706A]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic and arrowtooth flounder.

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Rock Sole, Flathead After the effective date of this closure Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by
Sole, and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ by Vessels the maximum retainable amounts at Catcher/Processor Vessels Using
Using Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time Hook-and-line Gear in the Bering Sea
Aleutian Islands Management Area during a trip. and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Classification AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), This action responds to the best Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce. available information recently obtained Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. from the fishery. The Assistant ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA
SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed (AA), finds good cause to waive the SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, and requirement to provide prior notice and fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/
‘‘other flatfish’’ by vessels using trawl opportunity for public comment processor vessels using hook-and-line
gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian pursuant to the authority set forth at 5 gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such requirement is Islands management area (BSAI). This
action is necessary to prevent exceeding impracticable and contrary to the public action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the first seasonal allowance of the 2006 interest. This requirement is the A season allowance of the 2006 total
halibut bycatch allowance specified for impracticable and contrary to the public allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod
the trawl rock sole, flathead sole, and interest as it would prevent NMFS from specified for catcher/processor vessels
‘‘other flatfish’’ fishery category in the responding to the most recent fisheries using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
BSAI. data in a timely fashion and would DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local delay the closure of directed fishing for time (A.l.t.), February 18, 2006, until
time (A.l.t.), February 21, 2006, through rock sole, flathead sole, and ‘‘other 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 10, 2006.
1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2006. flatfish’’ by vessels using trawl gear in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Josh the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish Keaton, 907–586–7228.
Keaton, 907–586–7228. a notice providing time for public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS comment because the most recent, manages the groundfish fishery in the
manages the groundfish fishery in the relevant data only became available as BSAI according to the Fishery
BSAI according to the Fishery of February 18, 2006. Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Management Plan for Groundfish of the The AA also finds good cause to Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands waive the 30-day delay in the effective Management Area (FMP) prepared by
Management Area (FMP) prepared by date of this action under 5 U.S.C. the North Pacific Fishery Management
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
the reasons provided above for waiver of
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
prior notice and opportunity for public
Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
comment. vessels in accordance with the FMP
Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP This action is required by § 679.21 appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600
appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and is exempt from review under and 50 CFR part 679.
and 50 CFR part 679. Executive Order 12866. The A season allowance of the 2006
The first seasonal allowance of the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher/
2006 halibut bycatch allowance processor vessels using hook-and-line
specified for the trawl rock sole, Dated: February 21, 2006. gear in the BSAI is 43,916 metric tons
flathead sole, and ‘‘other flatfish’’ Alan D. Risenhoover, as established by the 2005 and 2006
fishery category in the BSAI is 448 Acting Director, Office of Sustainable final harvest specifications for
metric tons as established by the 2005 Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979,
and 2006 final harvest specifications for [FR Doc. 06–1751 Filed 2–21–06; 2:49 pm] February 24, 2005). See
groundfish in the BSAI (70 FR 8979, BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
§§§ 679.20(c)(3)(iii) and (c)(5), and
February 24, 2005). (a)(7)(i)(C).
In accordance with § 679.21(e)(7)(v), In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii),
the Administrator, Alaska Region, the Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS, has determined that the first NMFS, has determined that the A
seasonal allowance of the 2006 halibut season allowance of the 2006 Pacific
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with RULES

bycatch allowance specified for the cod TAC allocated to catcher/processor

trawl rock sole, flathead sole, and ‘‘other vessels using hook-and-line gear in the
flatfish’’ fishery category in the BSAI BSAI will soon be reached.
has been caught. Consequently, NMFS Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting

VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:05 Feb 23, 2006 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\[Link] 24FER1