[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57340-57341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28481]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 102996B]
Scallop Fishery Off Alaska; Shelikof District of Registration
Area K
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure; inseason adjustment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the fishery for scallops in the Shelikof
District of Registration Area K to prevent localized overfishing of
scallops in that District. This action is necessary to prevent
overfishing of scallops. It is intended to promote the goals and
objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off
Alaska.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 31,
1996, through 2359 hrs, A.l.t., June 30, 1997. Comments must be
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t.,
November 18, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries
Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK
99802, Attn: Lori Gravel, or be delivered to the fourth floor of the
Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.
[[Page 57341]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scallop fishery off Alaska in the
exclusive economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery
Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery Off Alaska (FMP) prepared by
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Fishing by
U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at Subpart
F of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 1996 TAC for scallops in Registration Area K, which includes
the Shelikof District, was established by the 1996-97 Harvest
Specifications (61 FR 38099, July 23, 1996) as 400,000 lb (181.4 mt) of
shucked scallop meat. As of October 13, 1996, 200,000 lb (90.7 mt) of
shucked scallop meat have been landed from the Shelikof District.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries
Management and Development Division, has monitored the scallop fishery
in the Shelikof District since the fishery opened on August 1, 1996.
Harvest rates of scallops have declined by 50 percent, indicating that
fishing mortality is exceeding the biologically acceptable catch in the
Shelikof District.
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in
accordance with Sec. 679.63(a), Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i) and
Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(i)(A), that on the basis of the best available
scientific information, the closure of the scallop season within the
Shelikof District is necessary to prevent overfishing of this stock of
scallops. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting the taking and retention of
scallops in the Federal waters of the Shelikof District.
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. Immediate effectiveness is necessary to prevent
exceeding the TAC for scallops in the Shelikof District of Registration
Area K. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(ii), interested persons are invited to
submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until November
18, 1996.
Classification
This action is taken under Sec. 679.63 and is exempt from OMB
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 31, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28481 Filed 11-1-96; 9:20 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
