[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26288]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208298-8055-02; I.D. 092898A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by
Trawl Vessels Using Nonpelagic Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for pollock by trawl vessels
using nonpelagic trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl
pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 28,
1998, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with
the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(F), the Final 1998 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (63 FR 12689, March 16, 1998)
established the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for
the BSAI pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category as
324 metric tons.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch
allowance specified for the trawl pollock/Atka mackerel/``other
species'' fishery in the BSAI has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is
closing directed fishing for pollock by trawl vessels using nonpelagic
trawl gear in the BSAI.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts 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 exceeding the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified
for the trawl pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category
in the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. The fleet will soon take the Pacific
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl pollock/Atka
mackerel/``other species'' fishery category in the BSAI. Further delay
would only result in exceeding the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance.
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. 679.21 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 28, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26288 Filed 9-28-98; 2:03 pm]
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