98-20442. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 40840-40841]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-20442]
    
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 679
    
    [Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 072498E]
    
    
    Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
    Ocean Perch in the Central 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 Pacific ocean perch in the 
    Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
    that catch of Pacific ocean perch 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 amount of the Pacific 
    ocean perch 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been 
    reached.
    
    
    DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 27, 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 the Groundfish Fishery 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 Pacific ocean perch TAC in the 
    Central Regulatory Area of the GOA as 6,600 metric tons (mt).
    
        In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
    Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the Pacific ocean perch 
    TAC in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. 
    Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of Pacific ocean 
    perch in the Central 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 amount of the Pacific ocean perch TAC in the 
    Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is 
    impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has taken 
    the amount of the Pacific ocean perch TAC in the Central Regulatory 
    Area. Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds
    
    [[Page 40841]]
    
    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 27, 1998.
    
    Bruce C. Morehead,
    
    Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
    Fisheries Service.
    
    [FR Doc. 98-20442 Filed 7-27-98; 4:53 pm]
    
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/27/1998
Published:
07/31/1998
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
98-20442
Dates:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 27, 1998, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
Pages:
40840-40841 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 971208297-8054-02, I.D. 072498E
PDF File:
98-20442.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679