Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone Pacific cod,
[Federal Register: November 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 221)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 63801-63802]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17no98-12]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 971208298-8055-02; I.D. 111298A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Reallocation.
SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod from trawl catcher/processors and trawl catcher vessels to vessels using fixed gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 12, 1998, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (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 parts 600 and 679.
As of October 31, 1998, the Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that approximately 4,097 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod remain in the catcher/processor allocation and 5,975 mt remain in the catcher vessel allocation. Trawl catcher/processors will not be able to harvest 1,500 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod, and the trawl catcher vessels, 5,000 mt of Pacific cod, allocated to those sectors under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(B), NMFS is apportioning the projected unused amount, 1,500 mt, of Pacific cod from trawl catcher/processors to vessels using fixed gear and 5,000 mt from trawl catcher vessels to vessels using fixed gear.
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 Pacific cod TAC. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only disrupt the FMP's objective of providing a portion of the Pacific cod TAC for fixed gear in the BSAI. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action can not be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is hereby waived.
[[Page 63802]]
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.20, and is exempt from OMB review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: November 12, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30693Filed11-12-98; 4:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
