97-23490. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Scallop Fishery; Closure in Registration Area H

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 171 (Thursday, September 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23490]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

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


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

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 H 
(Cook Inlet). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the scallop 
total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 29, 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 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 scallop TAC for Registration Area H (Cook Inlet) was established 
by the Final 1997-98 Harvest Specifications of Scallops (62 FR 34182, 
June 25, 1997) as 28,000 lb (12,701 kg) shucked meat.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with 679.62(c), that the scallop TAC for Registration Area H 
(Cook Inlet) has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting the 
taking and retention of scallops in Registration Area H (Cook Inlet).

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 Registration Area H (Cook 
Inlet). Providing prior notice and an opportunity for public comment is 
impracticable and contrary to public interest. The fleet has taken the 
1997 TAC for Registration Area H (Cook Inlet). Further delay would only 
result in overharvest of the 1997 TAC. 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. 679.62 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. 97-23490 Filed 8-29-97; 3:41 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F