[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 39240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19503]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 071698E]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic
Shelf Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
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 pelagic shelf
rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA).
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1998 total allowable
catch (TAC) of pelagic shelf rockfish in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 17, 1998,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone 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. Regulations governing
fishing by U.S. vessels pursuant to the FMP appear at subpart H of 50
CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii), the Final 1998 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027, March 12, 1998)
established the amount of the 1998 TAC of pelagic shelf rockfish in the
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska as 620 metric tons (mt).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1998 TAC
for pelagic shelf rockfish will be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 520 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 has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for pelagic shelf rockfish in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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 to
prevent overharvesting the 1998 TAC of pelagic shelf rockfish for the
Western Regulatory Area 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 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 17, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-19503 Filed 7-17-98; 2:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
