[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55341-55342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27735]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02, I.D. 100998A]
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Trawl Gear
in the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
[[Page 55342]]
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish by vessels
using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for directed
fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those
portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This action
is necessary because the 1998 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch
(PSC) limit for trawl gear in the GOA has been caught.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 9, 1998,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
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 Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63
FR 12027, March 12, 1998) established the 1998 Pacific halibut PSC
limit for vessels using trawl gear at 2,000 metric tons (mt). The
Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, has determined, in accordance with
Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), that vessels engaged in directed fishing for
groundfish with trawl gear in the GOA have caught the 1998 Pacific
halibut PSC limit. Therefore, NMFS is closing the directed fishery for
groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except for directed
fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those
portions of the GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock.
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 exceeding the 1998 trawl Pacific halibut PSC limit. Providing
prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has caught
the 1998 trawl Pacific halibut PSC limit in the GOA. Further delay
would only result in the 1998 trawl Pacific halibut PSC limit being
exceeded and disrupt the FMP's objective of limiting trawl Pacific
halibut mortality. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of
this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under U.S.C.
553(d), a delay in the effective date is hereby waived.
This action is required by 50 CFR 679.21 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. 98-27735 Filed 10-9-98; 4:44 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
