97-27160. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other Rockfish'' Species Group in the Bering Sea Subarea

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27160]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961107312-7021-02; I.D. 100797A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' Species Group in the Bering Sea Subarea

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of the ``other rockfish'' 
species group in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catch of ``other 
rockfish'' in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited 
species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is 
necessary because the ``other rockfish'' species group 1997 total 
allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 8, 1997, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area (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 1997 TAC of the ``other rockfish'' species group in the Bering 
Sea subarea was established as 317 metric tons by the Final 1997 
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (62 FR 7168, February 
18, 1997). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1997 TAC for the ``other 
rockfish'' species group in the Bering Sea subarea has been reached. 
Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of ``other rockfish'' 
in the Bering Sea subarea be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the 1997 TAC for the ``other rockfish'' species 
group in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. Providing prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment is impracticable and contrary to public 
interest. The fleet has taken the directed fishing allowance for the 
``other rockfish'' species group in the Bering Sea subarea. Further 
delay would only result in overharvest and disrupt the FMP's objective 
of not exceeding the TAC throughout the year. NMFS finds for good cause 
that the implementation of this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. 
Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is 
hereby waived.
    This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 8, 1997.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27160 Filed 10-8-97; 4:51 pm]
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