[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27734]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 100998C]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska
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 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of
pollock in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 12,
1998, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.
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.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii), the Final 1998 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027, March 12, 1998)
established the amount of the 1998 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area
620 of the GOA as 50,045 metric tons (mt).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1998 TAC
for pollock will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 49,845 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 200 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 has
been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to
prevent overharvesting the 1998 TAC of pollock for Statistical Area 620
of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary
to the 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.
This action is required by 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 9, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27734 Filed 10-9-98; 4:44 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
