Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone— Halibut donation program,

[Federal Register: February 4, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 23)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 5777]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr04fe98-25]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[I.D. 012798A]

RIN 0648-AJ87

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Halibut Donation Program

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

ACTION: Notice of availability, request for comments.

SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 50 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and Amendment 50 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMPs) for Secretarial review. These amendments would authorize the voluntary donation of Pacific halibut taken as bycatch in specified groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska to economically disadvantaged individuals by tax-exempt organizations through a NMFS-authorized distributor. This action is intended to support industry initiatives to reduce regulatory discards in the groundfish fisheries by processing halibut bycatch for human consumption. These amendments are necessary to promote the goals and objectives of the FMPs that govern the commercial groundfish fisheries off Alaska. Comments from the public are requested.

DATES: Comments on Amendments 50/50 must be submitted by April 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the FMP amendments should be submitted to the Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel, or delivered to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK. Copies of Amendments 50/50 and the environmental assessment (EA) and related economic analysis prepared for the proposed action are available from NMFS, at the above address, or by calling the Alaska Region, NMFS at 907-586-7228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Kinsolving, NMFS, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that each Regional Fishery Management Council submit any fishery management plan amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial disapproval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, after receiving a fishery management plan or amendment, immediately publish a document in the Federal Register that the fishery management plan or amendment is available for public review and comment. This action constitutes such notice for Amendments 50/50 to the FMPs.

Amendments 50/50 were adopted by the Council at its April 1997 meeting. The amendments would expand the existing Salmon Donation Program (SDP) to create a Prohibited Species Donation (PSD) program that would include halibut as well as salmon. This action would authorize the distribution of Pacific halibut taken as bycatch in the groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska to economically disadvantaged individuals by tax-exempt organizations through a NMFS-authorized distributor. This action is necessary to reduce regulatory discards in the groundfish fisheries by processing halibut bycatch for consumption by economically disadvantaged individuals.

A proposed rule that would implement Amendments 50/50 may be published in the Federal Register for public comment, following NMFS' evaluation of the proposed rule under the Magnuson-Stevens Act procedures. Public comments on the proposed rule must be received by the end of the comment period on the FMP amendments to be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on Amendments 50/50. All comments received by April 6, 1998, whether specifically directed to Amendments 50/50 or the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/ disapproval decision. Comments received after that date will not be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on Amendments 50/50.

Dated: January 30, 1998. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-2748Filed2-3-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F