[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 58688-58689] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-28822] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 102497C] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska, Pacific Cod in the Central 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 closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the allocation of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 27, 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 [[Page 58689]] 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 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as 39,321 metric tons (mt) by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(iii) and subsequent reserve apportionment (62 FR 19062, April 18, 1997). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(iv)(C), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the Pacific cod TAC for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 38,321 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 1,000 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 will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 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 Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to public interest. The fleet will soon take the 1997 TAC for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in this area. Further delay would only result in overharvest, which would disrupt the FMP objective of providing sufficient Pacific cod as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish 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: October 27, 1997. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-28822 Filed 10-27-97; 2:31 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F