98-20445. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other Rockfish'' in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20445]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 072498D]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
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: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of ``other rockfish'' 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 ``other 
rockfish'' 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 ``other rockfish'' TAC in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA as 20 metric tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the ``other rockfish'' 
TAC in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. 
Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of ``other rockfish'' 
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 amount of the ``other rockfish'' TAC in the 
Western 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 ``other rockfish'' TAC in the Western Regulatory 
Area. Further delay would only result in overharvest. 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 27, 1998.

Bruce C. Morehead,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20445 Filed 7-27-98; 4:53 pm]
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