78 FR 180 pgs. 57097-57098 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sharks in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Type: RULEVolume: 78Number: 180Pages: 57097 - 57098
Pages: 57097, 57098Docket number: [Docket No. 121018563-3418-02]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2013-22585 Filed 9-12-13; 4:15 pm]
Agency: Commerce Department
Sub Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 121018563-3418-02]
RIN 0648-XC872
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sharks in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
AGENCY:
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Temporary rule; closure.
SUMMARY:
NMFS is prohibiting retention of sharks in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 2013 total allowable catch (TAC) of sharks in the BSAI has been reached.
DATES:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 12, 2013, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Josh Keaton, 907-586-7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY 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 2013 TAC sharks in the BSAI is 100 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2013 and 2014 final harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (78 FR 13813, March 1, 2013).
In accordance with § 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2013 TAC of sharks in the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that sharks caught in the BSAI be treated as prohibited species in accordance with § 679.21(b).
Classification
[top] 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
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 §§ 679.20 and 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
This action is required by §§ 679.20 and 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Authority:
16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 11, 2013.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22585 Filed 9-12-13; 4:15 pm]
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