[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 5781] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-3089] [[Page 5781]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 961114318-6318-01; I.D. 020397F] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1997 interim specifications of Atka mackerel in these areas. EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 4, 1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone is managed by the NMFS 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. Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at Subpart H of 50 CFR parts 600 and 679. The 1997 interim specifications of Atka mackerel total allowable catch for the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea Subarea was established by Interim 1997 Harvest Specifications (61 FR 60044, November 26, 1996) for the BSAI as 3,187 metric tons (mt). See Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(ii). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1997 interim specification for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea Subarea soon will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,587 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 600 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance soon will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea Subarea. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e). Classification 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: February 3, 1997. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-3089 Filed 2-4-97; 3:52 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F