[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32048-32049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15362]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 053097F]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
the Gulf of Alaska Statistical Area 620
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for pollock in Statistical
Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the second seasonal allowance of total allowable
catch (TAC) for pollock in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 9, 1997,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.
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 final specification of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of
the GOA was established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of
Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997) as 31,250 mt,
determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a) (5)(ii)(A). In accordance
with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(B) and Sec. 679.20 (a)(5)(ii)(B)(2) the
second seasonal allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 is
7,231 mt. As of May 24, 1997, 9,556 mt of pollock has been harvested
from Statistical Area 620. This amount represents a combination of the
amounts taken during the first season and into the second.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second
seasonal allowance of TAC for pollock in Statistical Area 620 soon will
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 7,031 mt, and is
[[Page 32049]]
setting aside the remaining 200 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 pollock in Statistical Area 620 June 9,
1997, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1997.
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 to
prevent overharvesting the 1997 second seasonal allowance of TAC for
pollock in Statistical Area 620. The fleet will soon take the second
seasonal allowance of TAC for pollock. Further delay would only result
in overharvest which would disrupt the FMP's objective of apportioning
seasonal pollock harvests throughout the year. 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)(3), a delay in the effective
date is hereby waived.
This action is required by 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 6, 1997.
Rebecca Lent,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15362 Filed 6-9-97; 10:26 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
