[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4971]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208296-7296-01; I.D. 022098B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Offshore
Component of Pollock in the Aleutian Islands Subarea
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
Aleutian Islands subarea (AI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the proposed first seasonal allowance of pollock apportioned to vessels
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the AI of
the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 23,
1998, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive
economic zone is managed by NMFS 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. Fishing by U.S. processors is governed by regulations
implementing the FMP at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part
679.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(ii), the proposed first
seasonal allowance of pollock apportioned to vessels catching pollock
for processing by the offshore component in the AI of the BSAI was
established as 15,470 metric tons (mt) by the Interim 1998 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (62 FR 65626, December 15,
1997).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the proposed
first seasonal allowance of pollock apportioned to vessels catching
pollock for processing by the offshore component in the AI of the BSAI
soon will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 13,470 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 2,000 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 AI of the BSAI.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types 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 proposed first seasonal allowance of
pollock apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the
offshore component in the AI of the BSAI. A delay in the effective date
is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has
already taken the proposed first seasonal allowance of pollock
apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore
component in the AI of the BSAI. Further delay would only result in
overharvest which would disrupt the FMP's objective of providing
sufficient pollock as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. 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.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4971 Filed 2-23-98; 2:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
