97-23408. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Scallop Fishery; Closure in Registration Area O

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 171 (Thursday, September 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46680-46681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23408]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 970613138-7138-01; I.D. 082897C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Scallop 
Fishery; Closure in Registration Area O

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the scallop fishery in Registration Area O 
(Dutch Harbor). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the C. 
bairdi crab bycatch limit (CBL) in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 28, 1997, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., June 30, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scallop fishery in the exclusive 
economic zone off Alaska is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska (FMP) prepared by 
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery

[[Page 46681]]

Conservation and Management Act. Fishing for scallops is governed by 
regulations appearing at subpart F of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 
679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.62(b) the 1997 C. bairdi CBL for 
Registration Area O was established by the Final 1997-98 Harvest 
Specifications of Scallops (62 FR 34182, June 25, 1997) as 10,700 
crabs.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with 679.62(c), that the C. bairdi CBL for Registration Area 
O has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting the taking and 
retention of scallops in Registration Area O.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the 1997 C. bairdi CBL specified for 
Registration Area O. Providing prior notice and an opportunity for 
public comment on this action is impracticable and contrary to public 
interest. The fleet has taken the C. bairdi CBL for Registration Area 
O. Further delay would only result in overharvest of the CBL. 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.

Classification

    This action is required by Sec. 679.62 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: August 28, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-23408 Filed 8-29-97; 10:41 am]
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