98-19505. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 39241]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-19505]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 679
    
    [Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 071698G]
    
    
    Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
    Ocean Perch 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 Pacific ocean perch 
    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 Pacific ocean perch in this area.
    
    DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 17, 1998, 
    until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
    
    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 in accordance with 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 Pacific ocean perch in the 
    Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska as 1,810 metric tons 
    (mt). The directed fishery for Pacific ocean perch in the Western 
    Regulatory Area was closed under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on July 3, 
    1998, (63 FR 36863, July 8, 1998) and reopened on July 15, 1998, (to be 
    published July 21, 1998).
        In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
    Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1998 TAC 
    for Pacific ocean perch will be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
    Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,610 mt, 
    and is setting aside the remaining 200 mt 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 Pacific ocean perch 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 Pacific ocean perch 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. 98-19505 Filed 7-17-98; 2:14 pm]
    
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/17/1998
Published:
07/22/1998
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
98-19505
Dates:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 17, 1998, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
Pages:
39241-39241 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 971208297-8054-02, I.D. 071698G
PDF File:
98-19505.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii)