[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26032]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 092398D]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 610 in 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 pollock in Statistical
Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully
utilize the 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 24,
1998, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 25, 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 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. 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 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area
610 in the GOA as 29,790 metric tons (mt).
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator),
has established a directed fishing allowance of 29,590 mt, and set
aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries. The fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 610
in the GOA was closed to directed fishing under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)
on September 14, 1998 (63 FR 49668, September 17, 1998).
NMFS has determined that as of September 22, 1998, 1,200 mt remain
in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 610 in the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September
24, 1998.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be
reached. Current information shows the catching capacity of vessels
catching pollock is 1,200 mt per day.
NMFS is closing directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area
610 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 25, 1998.
All other closures remain in full force and effect.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order
to allow full utilization of the pollock TAC. Providing prior notice
and opportunity for public comment for this action is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only disrupt the
FMP objective of providing the pollock TAC for harvest. 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: September 24, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26032 Filed 9-24-98; 4:24 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
