[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 59844-59845] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-29284] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [I.D. 102997A] RIN 0648-AK13 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Revise Management Authority of Pelagic Shelf Rockfish; Notice of Availability AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 46 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) for Secretarial review. This amendment would remove black and blue rockfish from the FMP. The State of Alaska would then assume management of those species. This action is necessary to allow the State of Alaska to implement more responsive, regionally based, management of these species than is currently possible under the FMP. NMFS is requesting comments from the public on the proposed amendment, copies of which may be obtained from the Council (see ADDRESSES). DATES: Comments on Amendment 46 must be submitted by January 5, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments on the FMP amendment should be submitted to Chief, Fisheries Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel, or delivered to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK. Copies of Amendment 46 and the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review (EA/RIR) and related economic analysis prepared for the proposed action are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Ave., Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252; telephone: 907-271-2809. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Kinsolving, 907-586-7228. [[Page 59845]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires that each Regional Fishery Management Council submit any fishery management plan amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial disapproval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also requires that NMFS, after receiving a fishery management plan or amendment, immediately publish a document in the Federal Register that the fishery management plan or amendment is available for public review and comment. This action constitutes such notice for Amendment 46 to the FMP. Amendment 46 was adopted by the Council at its June 1997 meeting. It would remove black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) and blue rockfish (Sebastes mystinus) from the FMP and allow the State of Alaska to extend its management authority for these species into Federal waters. This action would allow the State of Alaska to implement small area harvest guidelines, developed by using more appropriate sampling methodologies than are currently used under Federal management. This action is necessary to prevent possible overexploitation and localized depletion of black and blue rockfish resources. NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment period in determining whether to approve the proposed amendment. A proposed rule to implement Amendment 46 has been submitted for Secretarial review and approval. The proposed rule to implement this amendment is scheduled to be published within 15 days of this document. Comments received by January 5, 1998, whether specifically directed to the amendment or the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/disapproval decision on Amendment 46. Comments received after that date will not be considered in the approval/disapproval decision. All comments received on Amendment 46 or on the proposed rule during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the final rule. Dated: October 30, 1997. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-29284 Filed 11-4-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F