[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52986]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26482]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 092298A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of a closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to fully utilize the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific
cod in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 5, 1998,
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 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 1998 TAC of Pacific cod allocated to vessels catching Pacific
cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory
Area was established as 30,037 metric tons (mt) by the Final 1998
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027, March
12, 1998). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3). On April 16, 1998 (63 FR 18848), it
was increased by an apportionment of reserves to 37,548 mt.
The fishery for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for
processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA was closed to directed fishing under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on
March 10, 1998 (63 FR 12416 March 13, 1998) in order to reserve amounts
anticipated to be needed for incidental catch in other fisheries.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator
is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 36,548 mt, and is
setting aside the remaining 100 mt as bycatch to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries.
NMFS has determined that as of September 5, 1998, 1,677 mt remain
in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t.,
October 5, 1998.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good
cause that providing prior notice and public comment or delaying the
effective date of this action is impracticable and contrary to the
public interest.
All other closures remain in full force and effect. This action
responds to the best available information recently obtained from the
fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order to allow full
utilization of the Pacific cod TAC. Further delay would only disrupt
the FMP's objective of providing a portion of the Pacific cod TAC for
processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA. Without this action, the Pacific cod allocation for vessels
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA would be underharvested. 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.
Classification
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: September 25, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26482 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
