[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 218 (Wednesday, November 12, 1997)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 60682] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-29769] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [I.D. 110597A] RIN: 0648-AH67 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Forage Fish Species Category AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability of amendments to fishery management plans; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 36 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area and Amendment 39 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMPs) for Secretarial review. Amendments 36 and 39 would define a forage fish species category in both FMPs and implement associated management measures. The intended effect of the amendments is to prevent the development of an unrestricted fishery for forage fish, which are a critical food source for many marine mammal, seabird, and fish species. DATES: Comments on Amendment 36 and 39 must be received by January 12, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments on Amendments 36 and 39 should be submitted to the Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Lori Gravel, or delivered to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK. Copies of the amendments and the Environmental Assessment/ Regulatory Impact Review prepared for the amendments are available from NMFS at the above address, or by calling the Alaska Region, NMFS, at 907-586-7228. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Lind, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The intent of the Council is to implement a program that would establish a forage fish species category and would allow for the management of these species in a manner that prevents the development of a commercial directed fishery for forage fish, which are a critical food source for many marine mammal, seabird and fish species. Management measures for this species category will be specified in regulations and may include such measures as prohibitions on directed fishing, limitations on allowable bycatch retention amounts, or limitations on the sale, barter, trade or any other commercial exchange, as well as the processing of forage fish in a commercial processing facility. A proposed rule to implement Amendments 36 and 39 has been received from the Council. In accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS is evaluating the proposed rule to determine whether it is consistent with the amendments, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable law. If that determination is affirmative, NMFS will publish it in the Federal Register for public review and comment. Comments received by January 12, 1998, whether specifically directed to the amendment or the proposed rule, will be considered by NMFS in its decision to approve, disapprove, or partially approve Amendments 36 and 39. Comments received after that date will not be considered by NMFS in this decision. All comments received by NMFS on these amendments or on the proposed rule during their respective comment periods will be addressed in the final rule. Dated: November 5, 1997. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-29769 Filed 11-10-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F