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Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Adjustment of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 

---
identifier: "/us/fr/06-2616"
source: "fr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Adjustment of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands"
title_number: 0
title_name: "Federal Register"
section_number: "06-2616"
section_name: "Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Adjustment of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands"
positive_law: false
currency: "2006-03-17"
last_updated: "2006-03-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
agency: "Commerce Department"
document_number: "06-2616"
document_type: "rule"
publication_date: "2006-03-17"
agencies:
  - "Commerce Department"
  - "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"
cfr_references:
  - "50 CFR Part 679"
fr_citation: "71 FR 13777"
fr_volume: 71
docket_ids:
  - "Docket No. 060216045-6045-01"
  - "I.D. 031406B"
effective_date: "2006-03-14"
fr_action: "Temporary rule; inseason adjustment."
---

#  Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Adjustment of Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

**AGENCY:**

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

**ACTION:**

Temporary rule; inseason adjustment.

**SUMMARY:**

NMFS is adjusting the Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) amount in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the Pacific cod acceptable biological catch (ABC) in the BSAI and is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI (FMP).

**DATES:**

Effective March 14, 2006, through 2400 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 31, 2007.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Josh Keaton, 907-586-7228.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI according to the FMP prepared by  the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (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 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) establish the 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod ABCs as 194,000 metric tons (mt) and 148,000 mt, respectively. The TACs are set equal to the ABCs for Pacific cod in the BSAI.

On March 1, 2006, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced by emergency regulation, a Pacific cod guideline harvest level (GHL), west of 170 degrees west longitude in the Aleutian Islands subarea, equal to 3% of the Pacific cod ABC in the BSAI established in the final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10984, March 3, 2006).

As of March 1, 2006, the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) has determined that the current TACs are incorrectly specified and an adjustment is necessary to prevent exceeding the ABC. The best available scientific information for the Pacific cod fisheries in the BSAI indicates that the addition of a state waters GHL in the Aleutian Islands subarea would result in overall harvest amounts that exceed the 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod ABCs in the BSAI. The Council, its Advisory Panel, and its Scientific and Statistical Committee have determined that the acceptable harvest level for the combined State and Federal Pacific cod fisheries should not exceed the ABC since this could result in an unacceptable change in the biological stock status of Pacific cod in the BSAI. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(iii) and (2)(iv), the Regional Administrator adjusts the 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod TACs in the BSAI.

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(7), Tables 1, 2, 5, 12, and 14 of the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) are revised for the 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod TACs consistent with this adjustment.

| Species | Area | 2006 | OFL | ABC | TAC | ITAC | CDQ | 2007 | OFL | ABC | TAC | ITAC | CDQ |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pollock | BS | 2,090,000 | 1,930,000 | 1,485,000 | 1,336,500 | 148,500 | 1,930,000 | 1,790,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,350,000 | 150,000 |  |  |
|  | AI | 39,100 | 29,400 | 19,000 | 17,100 | 1,900 | 39,100 | 29,400 | 19,000 | 17,100 | 1,900 |  |  |
|  | Bogoslof | 50,600 | 5,500 | 10 | 10 | n/a | 50,600 | 5,500 | 10 | 10 | n/a |  |  |
| Pacific cod | BSAI | 230,000 | 194,000 | 188,180 | 159,953 | 14,114 | 176,000 | 148,000 | 143,560 | 122,026 | 10,767 |  |  |
| Sablefish | BS | 3,680 | 3,060 | 2,820 | 2,327 | 388 | 3,260 | 2,700 | 2,700 | 1,148 | 101 |  |  |
|  | AI | 3,740 | 3,100 | 3,000 | 2,438 | 499 | 3,300 | 2,740 | 2,740 | 582 | 51 |  |  |
| Atka mackerel | BSAI | 130,000 | 110,000 | 63,000 | 53,550 | 4,725 | 107,000 | 91,000 | 63,000 | 53,550 | 4,725 |  |  |
|  | EAI/BS | n/a | 21,780 | 7,500 | 6,375 | 563 | n/a | 18,020 | 7,500 | 6,375 | 563 |  |  |
|  | CAI | n/a | 46,860 | 40,000 | 34,000 | 3,000 | n/a | 38,760 | 38,000 | 32,300 | 2,850 |  |  |
|  | WAI | n/a | 41,360 | 15,500 | 13,175 | 1,163 | n/a | 34,220 | 17,500 | 14,875 | 1,313 |  |  |
| Yellowfin sole | BSAI | 144,000 | 121,000 | 95,701 | 81,346 | 7,178 | 137,000 | 116,000 | 107,641 | 91,495 | 8,073 |  |  |
| Rock sole | BSAI | 150,000 | 126,000 | 41,500 | 35,275 | 3,113 | 145,000 | 122,000 | 44,000 | 37,400 | 3,300 |  |  |
| Greenland turbot | BSAI | 14,200 | 2,740 | 2,740 | 2,329 | 206 | 13,400 | 2,630 | 2,630 | 2,236 | 197 |  |  |
|  | BS | n/a | 1,890 | 1,890 | 1,607 | 142 | n/a | 1,815 | 1,815 | 1,543 | 136 |  |  |
|  | AI | n/a | 850 | 850 | 723 | 64 | n/a | 815 | 815 | 693 | 61 |  |  |
| Arrowtooth flounder | BSAI | 166,000 | 136,000 | 13,000 | 11,050 | 975 | 174,000 | 142,000 | 18,000 | 15,300 | 1,350 |  |  |
| Flathead sole | BSAI | 71,800 | 59,800 | 19,500 | 16,575 | 1,463 | 67,900 | 56,600 | 22,000 | 18,700 | 1,650 |  |  |
| Other flatfish | BSAI | 24,200 | 18,100 | 3,500 | 2,975 | 263 | 24,200 | 18,100 | 5,000 | 4,250 | 375 |  |  |
| Alaska plaice | BSAI | 237,000 | 188,000 | 8,000 | 6,800 | 600 | 231,000 | 183,000 | 15,000 | 12,750 | 1,125 |  |  |
| Pacific ocean perch | BSAI | 17,600 | 14,800 | 12,600 | 10,710 | 945 | 17,600 | 14,800 | 14,800 | 12,580 | 1,110 |  |  |
|  | BS | n/a | 2,960 | 1,400 | 1,190 | 105 | n/a | 2,960 | 2,960 | 2,516 | 222 |  |  |
|  | EAI | n/a | 3,256 | 3,080 | 2,618 | 231 | n/a | 3,256 | 3,256 | 2,768 | 244 |  |  |
|  | CAI | n/a | 3,212 | 3,035 | 2,580 | 228 | n/a | 3,212 | 3,212 | 2,730 | 241 |  |  |
|  | WAI | n/a | 5,372 | 5,085 | 4,322 | 381 | n/a | 5,375 | 5,372 | 4,566 | 403 |  |  |
| Northern rockfish | BSAI | 10,100 | 8,530 | 4,500 | 3,825 | 338 | 9,890 | 8,320 | 5,000 | 4,250 | 375 |  |  |
| Shortraker rockfish | BSAI | 774 | 580 | 580 | 493 | 44 | 774 | 580 | 580 | 493 | 44 |  |  |
| Rougheye rockfish | BSAI | 299 | 224 | 224 | 190 | 17 | 299 | 224 | 224 | 190 | 17 |  |  |
| Other rockfish | BSAI | 1,870 | 1,400 | 1,050 | 893 | 79 | 1,870 | 1,400 | 1,400 | 1,190 | 105 |  |  |
|  | BS | n/a | 810 | 460 | 391 | 35 | n/a | 810 | 810 | 689 | 61 |  |  |
|  | AI | n/a | 590 | 590 | 502 | 44 | n/a | 590 | 590 | 502 | 44 |  |  |
| Squid | BSAI | 2,620 | 1,970 | 1,275 | 1,084 | n/a | 2,620 | 1,970 | 1,275 | 1,084 | n/a |  |  |
| Other species | BSAI | 89,404 | 58,882 | 29,000 | 24,650 | 2,175 | 89,404 | 62,950 | 27,000 | 22,950 | 2,025 |  |  |
| Total |  | 3,476,987 | 3,013,086 | 1,994,180 | 1,770,073 | 187,522 | 3,224,217 | 2,799,914 | 1,995,560 | 1,769,284 | 187,290 |  |  |

| Species—area or subarea | 2006 | 2006 | 2007 | 2007 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Atka mackerel—Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea | 563 | 6,938 | 563 | 6,938 |
| Atka mackerel—Central Aleutian District | 3,000 | 37,000 | 2,850 | 35,150 |
| Atka mackerel—Western Aleutian District | 1,163 | 14,338 | 1,313 | 16,188 |
| Pacific ocean perch—Eastern Aleutian District | 231 | 2,849 | 244 | 3,012 |
| Pacific ocean perch—Central Aleutian District | 228 | 2,808 | 241 | 2,971 |
| Pacific ocean perch—Western Aleutian District | 381 | 4,703 | 403 | 4,969 |
| Pacific cod—BSAI | 14,113 | 174,066 | 10,767 | 132,793 |
| Shortraker rockfish—BSAI | 44 | 537 | 44 | 537 |
| Rougheye rockfish—BSAI | 17 | 207 | 17 | 207 |
| Northern rockfish—BSAI | 338 | 4,163 | 375 | 4,625 |
| Other rockfish—Bering Sea subarea | 35 | 426 | 61 | 750 |
| Total | 20,113 | 248,035 | 16,878 | 208,140 |

| Gear sector | Percent | 2006 share of gear sector total | 2006 subtotal percentages for gear sectors | 2006 share of gear sector total | 2006 seasonal | Date | Amount | 2007 share of gear sector total | 2007 subtotal percentages for gear sectors | 2007 share of gear sector total | 2007 seasonal | Date | Amount |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Total hook-and-line/pot gear | 51 | 88,774 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 67,724 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |  |  |
| Hook-and-line/pot ICA | n/a | n/a | n/a | 500 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 500 | n/a | n/a |  |  |
| Hook-and-line/pot subtotal | n/a | 88,274 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 67,224 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |  |  |
| Hook-and-line C/P | n/a | n/a | 80 | 70,619 | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 42,372 | n/a | 80 | 53,780 | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 32,268 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | June 10-Dec 31 | 28,248 |  |  |  | Jun 10-Dec 31 | 21,512 |  |  |
| Hook-and-line CV | n/a | n/a | 0.3 | 265 | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 159 | n/a | 0.3 | 202 | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 121 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | June 10-Dec 31 | 106 |  |  |  | Jun 10-Dec 31 | 81 |  |  |
| Pot C/P | n/a | n/a | 3.3 | 2,913 | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 1,749 | n/a | 3.3 | 2,218 | Jan 1-Jun10 | 1,331 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | Sept 1-Dec 31 | 1,165 |  |  |  | Sept 1-Dec 31 | 887 |  |  |
| Pot CV | n/a | n/a | 15 | 13,241 | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 7,945 | n/a | 15 | 10,084 | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 6,050 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | Sept 1-Dec 31 | 5,296 |  |  |  | Sept 1-Dec 31 | 4,033 |  |  |
| CV < 60 feet LOA using Hook-and-line or Pot gear | n/a | n/a | 1.4 | 1,236 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1.4 | 941 | n/a | n/a |  |  |
| Total Trawl Gear | 47 | 81,811 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 62,413 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |  |  |
| Trawl CV |  |  | 50 | 40,906 | Jan 20-Apr 1 | 28,634 |  | 50 | 31,206 | Jan 20-Apr 1 | 21,844 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  | n/a | Apr 1-Jun 10 | 4,091 |  |  | n/a | Apr 1-Jun 10 | 3,121 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  | n/a | Jun 10-Nov 1 | 8,181 |  |  | n/a | Jun 10-Nov 1 | 6,241 |  |  |
| Trawl CP |  |  | 50 | 40,906 | Jan 20-Apr 1 | 20,453 |  | 50 | 31,206 | Jan 20-Apr 1 | 15,603 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  | n/a | Apr 1-Jun 10 | 12,272 |  |  | n/a | Apr 1-Jun 10 | 9,362 |  |  |
|  |  |  |  | n/a | Jun 10-Nov 1 | 8,181 |  |  | n/a | Jun 10-Nov 1 | 6,241 |  |  |
| Jig | 2 | 3,481 | n/a | n/a | Jan 1-Apr 30 | 1,393 | 2,656 | n/a | n/a | Jan 1-Apr 30 | 1,062 |  |  |
|  |  |  | n/a | n/a | Apr 30-Aug 31 | 696 |  | n/a | n/a | Apr 30-Aug 31 | 531 |  |  |
|  |  |  | n/a | n/a | Aug 31-Dec 31 | 1,392 |  | n/a | n/a | Aug 31-Dec 31 | 1,062 |  |  |
| Total | 100 | 174,066 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 132,793 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |  |  |

| Target species | Area | 1995-1997 | Retained catch | Total catch | Ratio of retained catch to total catch | 2006 ITAC available to trawl C/Ps | 2006 C/P sideboard limit | 2007 ITAC available to trawl C/Ps | 2007 C/P sideboard limit |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pacific cod trawl | BSAI | 12,424 | 48,177 | 0.258 | 40,906 | 10,554 | 31,206 | 8,051 |  |
| Sablefish trawl | BS | 8 | 497 | 0.016 | 1,199 | 19 | 1,148 | 18 |  |
|  | AI | 0 | 145 | 0.000 | 638 | 0 | 582 | 0 |  |
| Atka mackerel | Central AI | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |  |
|  | A season | n/a | n/a | 0.115 | 18,500 | 2,128 | 17,575 | 2,021 |  |
|  | HLA limit | n/a | n/a | n/a | 11,100 | 1,277 | 10,545 | 1,213 |  |
|  | B season | n/a | n/a | 0.115 | 18,500 | 2,128 | 17,575 | 2,021 |  |
|  | HLA limit | n/a | n/a | n/a | 11,100 | 1,277 | 10,545 | 1,213 |  |
|  | Western AI | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |  |
|  | A season | n/a | n/a | 0.200 | 7,169 | 1,434 | 8,094 | 1,619 |  |
|  | HLA limit | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4,301 | 860 | 4,856 | 971 |  |
|  | B season | n/a | n/a | 0.200 | 7,169 | 1,434 | 8,094 | 1,619 |  |
|  | HLA limit | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4,301 | 860 | 4,856 | 971 |  |
| Yellowfin sole | BSAI | 100,192 | 435,788 | 0.230 | 81,346 | 18,710 | 91,495 | 21,044 |  |
| Rock sole | BSAI | 6,317 | 169,362 | 0.037 | 35,275 | 1,305 | 37,400 | 1,384 |  |
| Greenland turbot | BS | 121 | 17,305 | 0.007 | 1,607 | 11 | 1,543 | 11 |  |
|  | AI | 23 | 4,987 | 0.005 | 723 | 4 | 693 | 3 |  |
| Arrowtooth flounder | BSAI | 76 | 33,987 | 0.002 | 11,050 | 22 | 15,300 | 31 |  |
| Flathead sole | BSAI | 1,925 | 52,755 | 0.036 | 16,575 | 597 | 18,700 | 673 |  |
| Alaska plaice | BSAI | 14 | 9,438 | 0.001 | 6,800 | 7 | 12,750 | 13 |  |
| Other flatfish | BSAI | 3,058 | 52,298 | 0.058 | 2,975 | 173 | 4,250 | 247 |  |
| Pacific ocean perch | BS | 12 | 4,879 | 0.002 | 1,190 | 2 | 2,516 | 5 |  |
|  | Eastern AI | 125 | 6,179 | 0.020 | 2,849 | 57 | 3,012 | 60 |  |
|  | Central AI | 3 | 5,698 | 0.001 | 2,808 | 3 | 2,971 | 3 |  |
|  | Western AI | 54 | 13,598 | 0.004 | 4,703 | 19 | 4,969 | 20 |  |
| Northern rockfish | BSAI | 91 | 13,040 | 0.007 | 4,163 | 29 | 4,625 | 32 |  |
| Shortraker rockfish | BSAI | 50 | 2,811 | 0.018 | 537 | 10 | 537 | 10 |  |
| Rougheye rockfish | BSAI | 50 | 2,811 | 0.018 | 207 | 4 | 207 | 4 |  |
| Other rockfish | BS | 18 | 621 | 0.029 | 426 | 12 | 750 | 22 |  |
|  | AI | 22 | 806 | 0.027 | 502 | 14 | 502 | 14 |  |
| Squid | BSAI | 73 | 3,328 | 0.022 | 1,084 | 24 | 1,084 | 24 |  |
| Other species | BSAI | 553 | 68,672 | 0.008 | 24,650 | 197 | 22,950 | 184 |  |

| Species | Fishery by area/season/processor/gear | Ratio of 1995-1997 AFA CV catch to 1995-1997 TAC | 2006 initial TAC | 2006 | 2007 initial TAC | 2007 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pacific cod | BSAI | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jig gear | 0.0000 | 3,481 | 0 | 2,656 | 0 |
|  | Hook-and-line CV | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 0.0006 | 159 | 0 | 121 | 0 |
|  | Jun 10-Dec 31 | 0.0006 | 106 | 0 | 81 | 0 |
|  | Pot gear CV | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jan 1-Jun 10 | 0.0006 | 7,945 | 5 | 6,050 | 4 |
|  | Sept 1-Dec 31 | 0.0006 | 5,296 | 3 | 4,033 | 2 |
|  | CV < 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear | 0.0006 | 1,236 | 1 | 941 | 1 |
|  | Trawl gear CV | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jan 20-Apr 1 | 0.8609 | 28,634 | 24,651 | 21,844 | 18,805 |
|  | Apr 1-Jun 10 | 0.8609 | 4,091 | 3,522 | 3,121 | 2,687 |
|  | Jun 10-Nov 1 | 0.8609 | 8,181 | 7,043 | 6,241 | 5,373 |
| Sablefish | BS trawl gear | 0.0906 | 1,199 | 109 | 1,148 | 104 |
|  | AI trawl gear | 0.0645 | 638 | 41 | 582 | 38 |
| Atka mackerel | Eastern AI/BS | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jig gear | 0.0031 | 69 | 0 | 69 | 0 |
|  | Other gear | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jan 1-Apr 15 | 0.0032 | 3,434 | 11 | 3,434 | 11 |
|  | Sept 1-Nov 1 | 0.0032 | 3,434 | 11 | 3,434 | 11 |
|  | Central AI | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jan-Apr 15 | 0.0001 | 18,500 | 2 | 17,575 | 2 |
|  | HLA limit | 0.0001 | 11,100 | 1 | 10,545 | 1 |
|  | Sept 1-Nov 1 | 0.0001 | 18,500 | 2 | 17,575 | 2 |
|  | HLA limit | 0.0001 | 11,100 | 1 | 10,545 | 1 |
|  | Western AI | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
|  | Jan-Apr 15 | 0.0000 | 7,169 | 0 | 8,094 | 0 |
|  | HLA limit | n/a | 4,301 | 0 | 4,856 | 0 |
|  | Sept 1-Nov 1 | 0.0000 | 7,169 | 0 | 8,094 | 0 |
|  | HLA limit | n/a | 4,301 | 0 | 4,856 | 0 |
| Yellowfin sole | BSAI | 0.0647 | 81,346 | 5,263 | 91,495 | 5,920 |
| Rock sole | BSAI | 0.0341 | 35,275 | 1,203 | 37,400 | 1,275 |
| Greenland Turbot | BS | 0.0645 | 1,607 | 104 | 1,543 | 100 |
|  | AI | 0.0205 | 723 | 15 | 693 | 14 |
| Arrowtooth flounder | BSAI | 0.0690 | 11,050 | 762 | 15,300 | 1,056 |
| Alaska plaice | BSAI | 0.0441 | 6,800 | 300 | 12,750 | 562 |
| Other flatfish | BSAI | 0.0441 | 2,975 | 131 | 4,250 | 187 |
| Pacific ocean perch | BS | 0.1000 | 1,190 | 119 | 2,516 | 252 |
|  | Eastern AI | 0.0077 | 2,849 | 22 | 3,012 | 23 |
|  | Central AI | 0.0025 | 2,808 | 7 | 2,971 | 7 |
|  | Western AI | 0.0000 | 4,703 | 0 | 4,969 | 0 |
| Northern rockfish | BSAI | 0.0084 | 4,163 | 35 | 4,625 | 39 |
| Shortraker rockfish | BSAI | 0.0037 | 537 | 2 | 537 | 2 |
| Rougheye rockfish | BSAI | 0.0037 | 207 | 1 | 207 | 1 |
| Other rockfish | BS | 0.0048 | 426 | 2 | 750 | 4 |
|  | AI | 0.0095 | 502 | 5 | 502 | 5 |
| Squid | BSAI | 0.3827 | 1,084 | 415 | 1,084 | 415 |
| Other species | BSAI | 0.0541 | 24,650 | 1,334 | 22,950 | 1,242 |
| Flathead Sole | BS trawl gear | 0.0505 | 16,575 | 837 | 18,700 | 944 |

**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 adjustment of the 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod TACs to account for the state waters GHL in the Aleutian Islands subarea. On March 1, 2006, ADF&G announced the state waters GHL in the Aleutian Islands subarea. Since the 2006 fisheries are currently underway and the 2006 and 2007 TACs are jointly established, it is necessary to immediately adjust the TACs to avoid overharvesting gear shares and seasonal allowances of Pacific cod in the BSAI. Immediate adjustment is necessary to allow for the orderly conduct and efficient operation of this fishery, allow the industry to plan for the remainder of the 2006 and 2007 fishing seasons, and avoid potential disruption to the fishing fleet and processors.

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 § 679.25 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

**Authority:**

16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.*

Dated: March 14, 2006.

James P. Burgess,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.