[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28209]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208298-8055-02; I.D. 101698A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by
Vessels Catching Pollock for Processing by the Offshore Component in
the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
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 by vessels
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the Bering
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the
1998 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the Bering
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 19,
1998, until 2400 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
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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. 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)(iii), the Final 1998 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (63 FR 12689, March 16, 1998)
established the amount of the 1998 pollock TAC apportioned to vessels
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI as 667,388 metric tons (mt).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount
of the 1998 pollock TAC apportioned to vessels catching pollock for
processing by the offshore component in the Bering Sea subarea of the
BSAI will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 662,388 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 5,000 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
soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore
component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
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 in order
to prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1998 pollock TAC
apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore
component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. A delay in the
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
The fleet has already taken the amount of the 1998 pollock TAC
apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore
component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. Further delay would
only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the
implementation of this action can 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 Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 16, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28209 Filed 10-16-98; 1:13 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
