[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15996]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 061198A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 630
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 in
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 12, 1998,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom 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 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 was established by the
Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR
12027, March 12, 1998) as 39,315 metric tons (mt) for the entire 1998
fishing year. In accordance with Sec. 679.20 (a)(5)(ii)(B), the second
seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 14,040
mt.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second
seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 will be
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 13,540 mt and is setting aside the
remaining 500 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
in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts can be found in the regulations
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action responds to the second seasonal TAC limitations and
other restrictions on the fisheries established in the Final 1998
Harvest Specifications for Groundfish for the GOA as amended (63 FR
12027, March 12, 1998). It must be implemented immediately to prevent
overharvesting the second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would
only result in overharvest. 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 11, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15996 Filed 6-11-98; 4:06 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
