98-26615. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker/ Rougheye Rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26615]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 092998C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker/
Rougheye Rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area 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 retention of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 
in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is 
requiring that catch of shortraker/rougheye rockfish in this area be 
treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea 
with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the amount 
of the 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 
in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 1, 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 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Groundfish Fishery 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 CFR part 679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii), the Final 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027, March 12, 1998) 
established the amount of the 1998 TAC of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 
in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA as 460 metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 1998 TAC for 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA 
has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA 
be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1998 TAC for shortraker/
rougheye rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in 
the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. The fleet has taken the amount of the 1998 TAC for 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area. Further 
delay would only result in overharvest. 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.
    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 30, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26615 Filed 9-30-98; 3:13 pm]
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