[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 20 (Friday, January 30, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2282]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208295-7295-01; I.D. 012398D]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 610
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the interim specification for pollock in
this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 26,
1998, until superseded by the Final 1998 Harvest Specification of
Groundfish, which will be published in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive
economic zone is managed by NMFS 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. Fishing by U.S.
vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at subpart H of
50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The interim specification of pollock total allowable catch in
Statistical Area 610 was established by the Interim 1998 Harvest
Specifications (62 FR 65622, December 15, 1997) as 6,050 metric tons
(mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(i).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1998
interim specification of pollock in Statistical Area 610 soon will be
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 5,550 mt, and is setting aside the
remaining 500 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will be
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock
in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be
found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action is required by 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
This action responds to the interim TAC limitations and other
restrictions on the fisheries established in the interim 1998 harvest
specifications for groundfish for the GOA. It must be implemented
immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1998 interim TAC of pollock
in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to public interest. Further delay would only
result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the
implementation of this action should not be delayed for 30 days.
Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is
hereby waived.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 26, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2282 Filed 1-26-98; 4:44 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
