97-20007. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other Rockfish'' Species Group in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20007]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961126334-7052-02; I.D. 072397A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' Species Group 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of the ``other rockfish'' 
species group in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). NMFS is requiring that catch of the ``other rockfish'' species 
group in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species 
and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary 
because the ``other rockfish'' species group 1997 total allowable catch 
(TAC) in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 25, 1997, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 under authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Fishing by U.S. 
vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at subpart H of 
50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 1997 TAC of the ``other rockfish'' species group 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 20 metric tons (mt). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1997 TAC for the ``other 
rockfish'' species group in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of the 
``other rockfish'' species group in the Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the 1997 TAC for the ``other rockfish'' species 
group in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. Providing an 
opportunity for prior notice and comment would be impracticable and 
contrary to public interest. The fleet has already taken the directed 
fishing allowance for the ``other rockfish'' species group. Further 
delay would only result in overharvest and disrupt the FMP's objective 
of allowing incidental catch to be retained throughout the year. NMFS 
finds for good cause that the implementation of this action cannot 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 Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: July 24, 1997.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20007 Filed 7-25-97; 9:24 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F