[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15591]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 060598A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 610
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of a closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully
utilize the second seasonal apportionment of pollock total allowable
catch (TAC) in this area.
DATES: DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time, June 8, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management
Plan for Groundfish 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. Fishing by U.S.
vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at subpart H of
50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical
Area 610 was established by the Final 1998 Harvest Specifications (63
FR 12027, March 12, 1998) as 7,978 metric tons (mt), determined in
accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), established a directed fishing
allowance of 7,478 mt and set aside the remaining 500 mt as bycatch in
support of other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator found that the
directed fishing allowance would soon be reached and NMFS closed the
directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA on June
3, 1998 (63 FR 30644, June 5, 1998).
As of June 4, 1998, NMFS has determined that 3,000 mt remain in the
directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous
closure and is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area
610 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 8, 1998.
All other closures remain in full force and effect.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to fully
utilize the second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical
Area 610 of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only result in
underharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this
action should 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: June 8, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15591 Filed 6-8-98; 4:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
