[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39242-39243]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19508]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 071698F]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other
Rockfish'' in the Eastern 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 ``other rockfish'' in
the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of
``other rockfish'' in this area.
DATES: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 1998, until 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 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 ``other rockfish'' in the
Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska as 1,500 metric tons
(mt). The directed fishery for ``other rockfish'' in the Eastern
Regulatory Area was closed in conjunction with the Final 1998 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12697, March 16, 1998)
and reopened on July 12, 1998, (63 FR 38341, July 16, 1998).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1998 TAC
for ``other rockfish'' will be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,400 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 ``other rockfish'' in the Eastern
Regulatory Area.
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
[[Page 39243]]
implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1998 TAC of
``other rockfish'' for the Eastern 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. 98-19508 Filed 7-17-98; 2:14 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
