Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone Pollock,
[Federal Register: June 5, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 108)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30644-30645]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn98-28]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 052998A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 3, 1998, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, 907-486-6919.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone is managed by NMFS 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. Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 was established by the Final 1998 Harvest Specifications (63 FR 12027, March 12, 1998) as 7,978 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 7,478 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 500 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
[[Page 30645]]
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1998.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action responds to the second seasonal TAC limitations and other restrictions on the fisheries. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action should not 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: June 1, 1998. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15029Filed6-2-98; 4:53 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
