97-17456. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 36018-36019]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-17456]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 679
    
    [Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 062497C]
    
    
    Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern 
    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: Modification of a closure.
    
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    SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for northern rockfish in the 
    Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
    necessary to fully utilize the total allowable catch (TAC) of northern 
    rockfish in that area.
    
    DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 1, 1997, 
    until 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.
    
    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
    
    [[Page 36019]]
    
    under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
    Management Act. Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations 
    implementing the FMP at 50 CFR parts 620 and 679.
        The annual TAC for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area 
    of the GOA, was established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of 
    Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997) as 840 metric 
    tons (mt) pursuant to Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The Final 1997 Harvest 
    Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA also closed directed fishing 
    for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA (see 
    Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)) in anticipation that the TAC would be needed as 
    incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries 
    during 1997. NMFS has determined that as of June 14, 1997, 753 mt 
    remain in the directed fishing allowance.
        The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 
    1997 directed fishing allowance of northern rockfish in the Western 
    Regulatory Area of the GOA has not been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
    terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for 
    northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
        All other closures remain in full force and effect.
    
    Classification
    
        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 27, 1997.
    Bruce Morehead,
    Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
    Fisheries Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-17456 Filed 6-30-97; 11:36 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/1/1997
Published:
07/03/1997
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Modification of a closure.
Document Number:
97-17456
Dates:
Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 1, 1997, until 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.
Pages:
36018-36019 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 961126334-7025-02, I.D. 062497C
PDF File:
97-17456.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii))