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62 FR (07/03/1997) » 97-17456. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
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))