[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 68210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32880]
[[Page 68210]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208298-8055-02; I.D. 120498A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific cod
for Vessels Using Hook-and-line and Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod for vessels
using hook-and-line and pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the amount of the 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod
allocated to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 9,
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 CFR part 679.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii), the TAC of Pacific cod
allocated to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI was
established by the Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for
the BSAI (63 FR 12689, March 16, 1998) as 99,068 metric tons (mt) and
subsequent reserve releases as 110,568 mt (63 FR 47218, September 4,
1998), (63 FR 63801, November 17, 1998).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the TAC of
Pacific cod allocated to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in
the BSAI will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 110,468 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 100 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 closing directed fishing for
Pacific cod for vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in 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 Pacific cod allocated to
vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI. A delay in the
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
The Pacific cod directed fishing allowance established for vessels
using hook-and-line and pot gear will soon be reached. 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: December 4, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32880 Filed 12-7-98; 4:26 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
