[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 24058-24059] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-11471] DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 961107312-7021-02; I.D. 042897B] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of the 1997 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery category. EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 29, 1997, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., May 11, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone is managed by 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 part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The second seasonal apportionment of the 1997 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery in the BSAI, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(B)(1), was established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (62 FR 7168, February 18, 1997) as 210 metric tons. In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(iv), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of the 1997 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery in the BSAI has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI for the remainder of the season. [[Page 24059]] Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). Classification This action is required by 50 CFR 679.21 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 29, 1997. Gary Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-11471 Filed 4-29-97; 2:33 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F