98-28209. 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  

  • [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
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
10/19/1998
Published:
10/21/1998
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
98-28209
Dates:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 19, 1998, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
Pages:
56095-56095 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 971208298-8055-02, I.D. 101698A
PDF File:
98-28209.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679