[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 145 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 40474] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-19846] [[Page 40474]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 961126334-7052-02; I.D. 072297E] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of northern rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that catches of northern rockfish in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the northern rockfish 1997 total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been reached. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 23, 1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228. 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 1997 TAC of northern rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA was established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997) as 10 metric tons (mt). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1997 TAC for northern rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of northern rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b). Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1997 TAC for northern rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. Providing an opportunity for prior notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to public interest. The fleet has already taken the directed fishing allowance for northern rockfish. Further delay would only result in overharvest and disrupt the FMP's objective of allowing incidental catch to be retained throughout the year. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action cannot 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: July 23, 1997. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-19846 Filed 7-24-97; 9:56 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F