[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 50258-50259] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-25361] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 091997A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska 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 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1997 total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in this area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 21, 1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas 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 1997 TAC for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA was established as 31,250 metric tons (mt) by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a) (5)(ii)(A). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1997 TAC for pollock in Statistical Area 620 will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 31,050 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 200 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 has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. [[Page 50259]] 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 best available information recently obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1997 TAC for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to public interest. The fleet has already taken the 1997 TAC for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. Further delay would only result in overharvest which would disrupt the FMP's objective of providing suficient pollock as bycatch to support other anticipated fisheries. 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 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 19, 1997 Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service [FR Doc. 97-25361 Filed 9-19-97; 4:41 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F