[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75865-75877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27698]



[[Page 75865]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 040907255-4343-02; I.D. 082704E]
RIN 0648-AS41


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Revision of 
Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures for the Pollock and Pacific Cod 
Fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes a final rule that revises Steller sea lion 
protection measures for the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The revisions adjust Pacific cod and pollock 
fishing closure areas near four Steller sea lion haulouts and modify 
the seasonal management of pollock harvest in the GOA. The intent of 
the revisions is to maintain protection for Steller sea lions and their 
critical habitat while easing the economic burden on GOA fishing 
communities. This action is intended to promote the goals and 
objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish 
of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP), and other applicable laws.

DATES: Effective January 19, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact 
Review (EA/RIR) prepared for the rule and copies of the 2000 and 2001 
Biological Opinions, and the June 19, 2003 supplement to the 2001 
Biological Opinion, on the effects of the groundfish fisheries on 
Steller sea lions may be obtained from NMFS, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 
21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Durall, or from the NMFS Alaska 
Region website at www.fakr.noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melanie Brown, 907-586-7228 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e28f878e838c8b87cc80908d958ca28c8d8383cc858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3d5058515c535458135f4f524a537d53525c5c135a524b">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive 
Economic Zone of the GOA are managed under the FMP. The North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared the FMP under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq. 
Regulations implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR part 679. General 
regulations governing U.S. fisheries also appear at 50 CFR part 600.

Background

    The western distinct population segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions 
has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 
and critical habitat has been designated for this DPS (50 CFR 226.202). 
Temporal and spatial harvest restrictions were established for the 
groundfish fisheries of Alaska (68 FR 204, January 2, 2003) to protect 
Steller sea lions from jeopardy of extinction and their critical 
habitat from adverse modification or destruction from the effects of 
these fisheries. Pollock and Pacific cod are important prey species for 
Steller sea lions, and these protection measures apply to the pollock 
and Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA.
    In June 2004, the Council unanimously recommended revisions to the 
Steller sea lion protection measures in the GOA to alleviate some of 
the economic burden on coastal communities while maintaining protection 
for Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. These revisions 
adjust pollock and Pacific cod fishing closures near four Steller sea 
lion haulouts and revise seasonal management of pollock harvest. NMFS 
concluded that fishing under the proposed revisions is not likely to 
affect Steller sea lions or their critical habitat beyond those effects 
already considered in the 2000 FMP Biological Opinion (BiOp), the 2001 
BiOp on the Steller sea lion protection measures, and the June 19, 2003 
supplement to the 2001 BiOp (see ADDRESSES). NMFS has determined that 
this action could provide some economic relief to participants in the 
pollock and Pacific cod fisheries while maintaining protection for 
Steller sea lions and their critical habitat.
    The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal 
Register on September 21, 2004 (69 FR 56384) with a comment period 
ending October 21, 2004. The details of each regulatory revision are 
contained in the proposed rule for this action. No changes were made 
from the proposed rule in the final rule.

Comments and Responses

    Three emails and two letters containing seven separate comments 
were received regarding the proposed rule. The comments are summarized 
and responded to below.
    Comment 1: The commercial fishers are taking all of the fish so the 
Steller sea lions have nothing to eat. The commercial fishers should be 
thrown out of the GOA.
    Response: Several species of groundfish, notably pollock and 
Pacific cod, are important prey species for Steller sea lions in the 
GOA and are also targeted by the GOA groundfish fisheries. The pollock 
and Pacific cod fisheries potentially compete with Steller sea lions by 
reducing the availability of prey for foraging sea lions. However, this 
potential competition between commercial fishers and Steller sea lions 
for pollock and Pacific cod is addressed by regulations that limit the 
total amount of catch and impose temporal and spatial controls on 
harvest. These Steller sea lion protection measures are designed to 
preserve prey abundance and availability for foraging sea lions.
    Comment 2: The fishers are catching double what they are reporting, 
and no one checks that what they have on board is what they are 
reporting. When checked, the amount of fish on board is usually double 
what they have reported. Vessels should be seized, and the captain and 
crew should be jailed for a year for abusing the sacred trust to 
responsibly harvest groundfish.
    Response: NMFS disagrees with the commentor's assertion that 
groundfish fishers systematically under-report their catch. The 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements in these fisheries are 
comprehensive, and NMFS and United States Coast Guard law enforcement 
officers conduct numerous vessel boardings each year. Reporting 
violations occur, but they are relatively rare and are prosecuted 
pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    Comment 3: Quotas should be cut by 50 percent the first year and 10 
percent each year after. Overfishing is occurring. Marine sanctuaries 
should be established.
    Response: This action revises certain Steller sea lion protection 
measures in the GOA, but does not specify groundfish harvest levels. 
The specification of harvest levels is done by separate rulemaking 
during the harvest specifications process. NMFS encourages the 
commentor to submit comments on the proposed 2005 and 2006 fishery 
specifications when they are published in the Federal Register for 
public comment. However, NMFS disagrees with the commentor's assertion 
that overfishing is occurring in the groundfish fisheries. NMFS manages 
these fisheries on a sustainable basis and notes that none of the 
groundfish stocks off Alaska is overfished. Additionally, this action 
does not address the creation of marine sanctuaries. The January 2004 
draft

[[Page 75866]]

environmental impact statement for essential fish habitat discusses the 
effects of fishing on sensitive habitat features and evaluates a range 
of options for minimizing adverse effects, such as closing areas of 
rockfish habitat to bottom trawling. Further information on this draft 
EIS may be found at the NMFS Alaska Region website at 
www.fakr.noaa.gov.
    Comment 4: The Pew Foundation reports on overfishing and regional 
fishery management council bias and the United Nations report on 
overfishing are incorporated into the comments from this commentor.
    Response: This action raises no issues related to overfishing or 
the membership of regional fishery management councils. The commentor's 
specific concerns and their relationship to these reports are not 
presented by the commentor. Because no further details are provided by 
the commentor, NMFS is unable to respond further to this comment.
    Comment 5: The Council's decision to reduce Steller sea lion 
protection measures is an outrage. The protection measures were made 
years ago solely for the protection of Steller sea lions. To make 
changes now for the benefit of the fishing fleet is an outrage because 
the Steller sea lions are still listed as endangered. Policy was made 
and should be followed and not changed for the industry's benefit.
    Response: NMFS disagrees with the commentor's assertion that this 
action fails to protect Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. 
The Steller sea lion protection measures were expected to be 
periodically reviewed and potentially changed based on new information 
regarding Steller sea lions and the fishing industry. NMFS has worked 
with the Council to identify impacts on the industry and new 
information that may lead to adapting the protection measures to ensure 
efficient and safe groundfish harvest while protecting Steller sea 
lions and their critical habitat. NMFS has determined that by revising 
the Pacific cod and pollock closure areas and improving the seasonal 
management of pollock with this final rule, the protection measures 
continue to protect Steller sea lions and their critical habitat from 
the potential effects of the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries.
    Comment 6: Revisions to ESA protection measures should come from 
sound, scientific, factual evidence. The basis of any revisions should 
not be on ``informal consultations,'' on findings of ``not likely to 
adversely affect,'' or on ``could provide economic relief.'' NMFS 
should reconsider all of the proposed changes.
    Response: NMFS agrees that agency decisions should be based on the 
best available scientific information. NMFS has used the best available 
scientific information in the development of this action and has 
reasonably determined that the revised measures adequately protect 
Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. Unfortunately, the best 
available scientific information frequently does not provide 
unequivocal answers regarding the effects of fisheries on the 
environment. NMFS has no additional information to justify 
reconsidering this action.
    Comment 7: We support the proposed action. Revising the Steller sea 
lion protection measures will alleviate some economic burden on GOA 
communities and maintain protection for Steller sea lions. We hope the 
changes may be made in time for the 2005 fishing year.
    Response: NMFS acknowledges the commentors' interest in alleviating 
economic burdens on GOA communities while maintaining protection for 
Steller sea lions and has strived to implement this final rule by early 
2005.

Classification

    This rule has been determined to be not significant for the 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. No comments were received regarding this certification. As a 
result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none 
prepared.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    This action revises 50 CFR part 679 which describes the Steller sea 
lion protection measures for the Alaska groundfish fisheries. This 
action requires small entities in the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries 
to comply with the amended closure areas near four Steller sea lion 
haulouts. To facilitate compliance with all of the Steller sea lion 
protection area restrictions, NMFS provides a series of maps showing 
the closure areas and links to the regulations that may be viewed and 
downloaded at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/2003hrvstspecssl.htm.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679

    Alaska, Fisheries, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: December 13, 2004.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

0
For reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is amended as 
follows:

PART 679--FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA

0
1. The authority citation for part 679 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., 1801 et seq., and 
3631 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); Pub. L. 105-277, Title II of 
Division C; Pub. L. 106-31, Sec. 3027; Pub. L.106-554, Sec. 209; and 
Pub. L. 108-199, Sec. 803.

0
2. In Sec.  679.20, paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(B) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  679.20  General limitations.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) GOA Western and Central Regulatory Areas seasonal 
apportionments. Each apportionment established under paragraph 
(a)(5)(iii)(A) of this section will be divided into four seasonal 
apportionments corresponding to the four fishing seasons set out at 
Sec.  679.23(d)(2) as follows: A Season, 25 percent; B Season, 25 
percent; C Season, 25 percent; and D Season, 25 percent. Within any 
fishing year, underharvest or overharvest of a seasonal apportionment 
may be added to or subtracted from remaining seasonal apportionments in 
a manner to be determined by the Regional Administrator, provided that 
any revised seasonal apportionment does not exceed 20 percent of the 
seasonal TAC apportionment for the statistical area. The 
reapportionment of underharvest will be applied to the subsequent 
season within the same statistical area up to the 20 percent limit 
specified in this paragraph. Any underharvest remaining beyond the 20 
percent limit may be further apportioned to the subsequent season in 
the other statistical areas, in proportion to estimated biomass and in 
an amount no more than 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment for 
the statistical area.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  679.23, paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(iii) are revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  679.23  Seasons.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) * * *

[[Page 75867]]

    (i) A season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., March 10;
* * * * *
    (iii) C season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., August 25 through 1200 
hours, A.l.t., October 1; and
* * * * *

0
4. Tables 4 and 5 to part 679 are revised to read as follows:

           Table 4 to 50 CFR Part 679 Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Pollock Fisheries Restrictions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Column Number 1               2             3             4            5            6             7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Pollock No-
                                              Boundaries    Boundaries    Boundaries   Boundaries  fishing Zones
          Site Name               Area or        from          from         to\1\        to\1\       for Trawl
                                  Subarea      Latitude      Longitude     Latitude    Longitude     Gear\2,8\
                                                                                                        (nm)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Lawrence I./S Punuk I.     Bering Sea    63 04.00 N    168 51.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
St. Lawrence I./SW Cape        Bering Sea    63 18.00 N    171 26.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
Hall I.                        Bering Sea    60 37.00 N    173 00.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
St. Paul I./Sea Lion Rock      Bering Sea    57 06.00 N    170 17.50 W   ...........  ...........  3
St. Paul I./NE Pt.             Bering Sea    57 15.00 N    170 06.50 W   ...........  ...........  3
Walrus I. (Pribilofs)          Bering Sea    57 11.00 N    169 56.00 W   ...........  ...........  10
St. George I./Dalnoi Pt.       Bering Sea    56 36.00 N    169 46.00 W   ...........  ...........  3
St. George I./S Rookery        Bering Sea    56 33.50 N    169 40.00 W   ...........  ...........  3
Cape Newenham                  Bering Sea    58 39.00 N    162 10.50 W   ...........  ...........  20
Round (Walrus Islands)         Bering Sea    58 36.00 N    159 58.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
Attu I./Cape Wrangell          Aleutian I.   52 54.60 N    172 27.90 E   52 55.40 N   172 27.20 E  20
Agattu I./Gillon Pt.           Aleutian I.   52 24.13 N    173 21.31 E   ...........  ...........  20
Attu I./Chirikof Pt.           Aleutian I.   52 49.75 N    173 26.00 E   ...........  ...........  20
Agattu I./Cape Sabak           Aleutian I.   52 22.50 N    173 43.30 E   52 21.80 N   173 41.40 E  20
Alaid I.                       Aleutian I.   52 46.50 N    173 51.50 E   52 45.00 N   173 56.50 E  20
Shemya I.                      Aleutian I.   52 44.00 N    174 08.70 E   ...........  ...........  20
Buldir I.                      Aleutian I.   52 20.25 N    175 54.03 E   52 20.38 N   175 53.85 E  20
Kiska I./Cape St. Stephen      Aleutian I.   51 52.50 N    177 12.70 E   51 53.50 N   177 12.00 E  20
Kiska I./Sobaka & Vega         Aleutian I.   51 49.50 N    177 19.00 E   51 48.50 N   177 20.50 E  20
Kiska I./Lief Cove             Aleutian I.   51 57.16 N    177 20.41 E   51 57.24 N   177 20.53 E  20
Kiska I./Sirius Pt.            Aleutian I.   52 08.50 N    177 36.50 E   ...........  ...........  20
Tanadak I. (Kiska)             Aleutian I.   51 56.80 N    177 46.80 E   ...........  ...........  20
Segula I.                      Aleutian I.   51 59.90 N    178 05.80 E   52 03.06 N   178 08.80 E  20
Ayugadak Point                 Aleutian I.   51 45.36 N    178 24.30 E   ...........  ...........  20
Rat I./Krysi Pt.               Aleutian I.   51 49.98 N    178 12.35 E   ...........  ...........  20
Little Sitkin I.               Aleutian I.   51 59.30 N    178 29.80 E   ...........  ...........  20
Amchitka I./Column Rocks       Aleutian I.   51 32.32 N    178 49.28 E   ...........  ...........  20
Amchitka I./East Cape          Aleutian I.   51 22.26 N    179 27.93 E   51 22.00 N   179 27.00 E  20
Amchitka I./Cape Ivakin        Aleutian I.   51 24.46 N    179 24.21 E   ...........  ...........  20
Semisopochnoi/Petrel Pt.       Aleutian I.   52 01.40 N    179 36.90 E   52 01.50 N   179 39.00 E  20
Semisopochnoi I./Pochnoi Pt.   Aleutian I.   51 57.30 N    179 46.00 E   ...........  ...........  20
Amatignak I. Nitrof Pt.        Aleutian I.   51 13.00 N    179 07.80 W   ...........  ...........  20
Unalga & Dinkum Rocks          Aleutian I.   51 33.67 N    179 04.25 W   51 35.09 N   179 03.66 W  20
Ulak I./Hasgox Pt.             Aleutian I.   51 18.90 N    178 58.90 W   51 18.70 N   178 59.60 W  20
Kavalga I.                     Aleutian I.   51 34.50 N    178 51.73 W   51 34.50 N   178 49.50 W  20
Tag I.                         Aleutian I.   51 33.50 N    178 34.50 W   ...........  ...........  20
Ugidak I.                      Aleutian I.   51 34.95 N    178 30.45 W   ...........  ...........  20
Gramp Rock                     Aleutian I.   51 28.87 N    178 20.58 W   ...........  ...........  20
Tanaga I./Bumpy Pt.            Aleutian I.   51 55.00 N    177 58.50 W   51 55.00 N   177 57.10 W  20
Bobrof I.                      Aleutian I.   51 54.00 N    177 27.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
Kanaga I./Ship Rock            Aleutian I.   51 46.70 N    177 20.72 W   ...........  ...........  20
Kanaga I./North Cape           Aleutian I.   51 56.50 N    177 09.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
Adak I.                        Aleutian I.   51 35.50 N    176 57.10 W   51 37.40 N   176 59.60 W  20
Little Tanaga Strait           Aleutian I.   51 49.09 N    176 13.90 W   ...........  ...........  20
Great Sitkin I.                Aleutian I.   52 06.00 N    176 10.50 W   52 06.60 N   176 07.00 W  20
Anagaksik I.                   Aleutian I.   51 50.86 N    175 53.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
Kasatochi I.                   Aleutian I.   52 11.11 N    175 31.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
Atka I./North Cape             Aleutian I.   52 24.20 N    174 17.80 W   ...........  ...........  20
Amlia I./Sviech. Harbor\11\    Aleutian I.   52 01.80 N    173 23.90 W   ...........  ...........  20
Sagigik I.\11\                 Aleutian I.   52 00.50 N    173 09.30 W   ...........  ...........  20
Amlia I./East\11\              AIX           52 05.70 N    172 59.00 W   52 05.75 N   172 57.50 W  20
Tanadak I. (Amlia\11\)         Aleutian I.   52 04.20 N    172 57.60 W   ...........  ...........  20
Agligadak I.\11\               Aleutian I.   52 06.09 N    172 54.23 W   ...........  ...........  20
Seguam I./Saddleridge Pt.\11\  Aleutian I.   52 21.05 N    172 34.40 W   52 21.02 N   172 33.60 W  20
Seguam I./Finch Pt.            Aleutian I.   52 23.40 N    172 27.70 W   52 23.25 N   172 24.30 W  20
Seguam I./South Side           Aleutian I.   52 21.60 N    172 19.30 W   52 15.55 N   172 31.22 W  20
Amukta I. & Rocks              Aleutian I.   52 27.25 N    171 17.90 W   ...........  ...........  20
Chagulak I.                    Aleutian I.   52 34.00 N    171 10.50 W   ...........  ...........  20
Yunaska I.                     Aleutian I.   52 41.40 N    170 36.35 W   ...........  ...........  20
Uliaga\3\                      Bering Sea    53 04.00 N    169 47.00 W   53 05.00 N   169 46.00 W  20,10
Chuginadak                     Gulf of       52 46.70 N    169 41.90 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Kagamil\3\                     Bering Sea    53 02.10 N    169 41.00 W   ...........  ...........  20,10
Samalga                        Gulf of       52 46.00 N    169 15.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska

[[Page 75868]]

 
Adugak I.\3\                   Bering Sea    52 54.70 N    169 10.50 W   ...........  ...........  10
Umnak I./Cape Aslik\3\         Bering Sea    53 25.00 N    168 24.50 W   ...........  ...........  BA
Ogchul I.                      Gulf of       52 59.71 N    168 24.24 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Bogoslof I./Fire I.\3\         Bering Sea    53 55.69 N    168 02.05 W   ...........  ...........  BA
Polivnoi Rock                  Gulf of       53 15.96 N    167 57.99 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Emerald I.                     Gulf of       53 17.50 N    167 51.50 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Unalaska/Cape Izigan           Gulf of       53 13.64 N    167 39.37 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Unalaska/Bishop Pt.9           Bering Sea    53 58.40 N    166 57.50 W   ...........  ...........  10
Akutan I./Reef-lava\9\         Bering Sea    54 08.10 N    166 06.19 W   54 09.10 N   166 05.50 W  10
Unalaska I./Cape Sedanka\6\    Gulf of       53 50.50 N    166 05.00 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Old Man Rocks\6\               Gulf of       53 52.20 N    166 04.90 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Akutan I./Cape Morgan\6\       Gulf of       54 03.39 N    165 59.65 W   54 03.70 N   166 03.68 W  20
                                Alaska
Akun I./Billings Head\9\       Bering Sea    54 17.62 N    165 32.06 W   54 17.57 N   165 31.71 W  10
Rootok\6\                      Gulf of       54 03.90 N    165 31.90 W   54 02.90 N   165 29.50 W  20
                                Alaska
Tanginak I.\6\                 Gulf of       54 12.00 N    165 19.40 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Tigalda/Rocks NE\6\            Gulf of       54 09.60 N    164 59.00 W   54 09.12 N   164 57.18 W  20
                                Alaska
Unimak/Cape Sarichef\9\        Bering Sea    54 34.30 N    164 56.80 W   ...........  ...........  10
Aiktak\6\                      Gulf of       54 10.99 N    164 51.15 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Ugamak I.\6\                   Gulf of       54 13.50 N    164 47.50 W   54 12.80 N   164 47.50 W  20
                                Alaska
Round (GOA)\6\                 Gulf of       54 12.05 N    164 46.60 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Sea Lion Rock (Amak)\9\        Bering Sea    55 27.82 N    163 12.10 W   ...........  ...........  10
Amak I. And rocks\9\           Bering Sea    55 24.20 N    163 09.60 W   55 26.15 N   163 08.50 W  10
Bird I.                        Gulf of       54 40.00 N    163 17.2 W    ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Caton I.                       Gulf of       54 22.70 N    162 21.30 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
South Rocks                    Gulf of       54 18.14 N    162 41.3 W    ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Clubbing Rocks (S)             Gulf of       54 41.98 N    162 26.7 W    ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Clubbing Rocks (N)             Gulf of       54 42.75 N    162 26.7 W    ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Pinnacle Rock                  Gulf of       54 46.06 N    161 45.85 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Sushilnoi Rocks                Gulf of       54 49.30 N    161 42.73 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Olga Rocks                     Gulf of       55 00.45 N    161 29.81 W   54 59.09 N   161 30.89 W  10
                                Alaska
Jude I.                        Gulf of       55 15.75 N    161 06.27 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Sea Lion Rocks (Shumagins)     Gulf of       55 04.70 N    160 31.04 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Nagai I./Mountain Pt.          Gulf of       54 54.20 N    160 15.40 W   54 56.00 N   160 15.00 W  3
                                Alaska
The Whaleback                  Gulf of       55 16.82 N    160 05.04 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Chernabura I.                  Gulf of       54 45.18 N    159 32.99 W   54 45.87 N   159 35.74 W  20
                                Alaska
Castle Rock                    Gulf of       55 16.47 N    159 29.77 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Atkins I.                      Gulf of       55 03.20 N    159 17.40 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Spitz I.                       Gulf of       55 46.60 N    158 53.90 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Mitrofania                     Gulf of       55 50.20 N    158 41.90 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Kak                            Gulf of       56 17.30 N    157 50.10 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Lighthouse Rocks               Gulf of       55 46.79 N    157 24.89 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Sutwik I.                      Gulf of       56 31.05 N    157 20.47 W   56 32.00 N   157 21.00 W  20
                                Alaska
Chowiet I.                     Gulf of       56 00.54 N    156 41.42 W   55 00.30 N   156 41.60 W  20
                                Alaska
Nagai Rocks                    Gulf of       55 49.80 N    155 47.50 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Chirikof I.                    Gulf of       55 46.50 N    155 39.50 W   55 46.44 N   155 43.46 W  20
                                Alaska
Puale Bay\12\                  Gulf of       57 40.60 N    155 23.10 W   ...........  ...........  3,10
                                Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Ikolik             Gulf of       57 17.20 N    154 47.50 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Takli I.                       Gulf of       58 01.75 N    154 31.25 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Cape Kuliak                    Gulf of       58 08.00 N    154 12.50 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Cape Gull                      Gulf of       58 11.50 N    154 09.60 W   58 12.50 N   154 10.50 W  10
                                Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Ugat               Gulf of       57 52.41 N    153 50.97 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Sitkinak/Cape Sitkinak         Gulf of       56 34.30 N    153 50.96 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Shakun Rock                    Gulf of       58 32.80 N    153 41.50 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Twoheaded I.                   Gulf of       56 54.50 N    153 32.75 W   56 53.90 N   153 33.74 W  10
                                Alaska
Cape Douglas (Shaw I.)\12\     Gulf of       59 00.00 N    153 22.50 W   ...........  ...........  20,10
                                Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Barnabas           Gulf of       57 10.20 N    152 53.05 W   ...........  ...........  3
                                Alaska
Kodiak/Gull Point\4\           Gulf of       57 21.45 N    152 36.30 W   ...........  ...........  10,3
                                Alaska
Latax Rocks                    Gulf of       58 40.10 N    152 31.30 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Ushagat I./SW                  Gulf of       58 54.75 N    152 22.20 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Ugak I.\4\                     Gulf of       57 23.60 N    152 17.50 W   57 21.90 N   152 17.40 W  10,3
                                Alaska
Sea Otter I.                   Gulf of       58 31.15 N    152 13.30 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Long I.                        Gulf of       57 46.82 N    152 12.90 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Sud I.                         Gulf of       58 54.00 N    152 12.50 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Chiniak            Gulf of       57 37.90 N    152 08.25 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Sugarloaf I.                   Gulf of       58 53.25 N    152 02.40 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Sea Lion Rocks (Marmot)        Gulf of       58 20.53 N    151 48.83 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Marmot I.\5\                   Gulf of       58 13.65 N    151 47.75 W   58 09.90 N   151 52.06 W  15,20
                                Alaska
Nagahut Rocks                  Gulf of       59 06.00 N    151 46.30 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska

[[Page 75869]]

 
Perl                           Gulf of       59 05.75 N    151 39.75 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Gore Point                     Gulf of       59 12.00 N    150 58.00 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Outer (Pye) I.                 Gulf of       59 20.50 N    150 23.00 W   59 21.00 N   150 24.50 W  20
                                Alaska
Steep Point                    Gulf of       59 29.05 N    150 15.40 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Seal Rocks (Kenai)             Gulf of       59 31.20 N    149 37.50 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Chiswell Islands               Gulf of       59 36.00 N    149 34.00 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Rugged Island                  Gulf of       59 50.00 N    149 23.10 W   59 51.00 N   149 24.70 W  10
                                Alaska
Point Elrington\7,10\          Gulf of       59 56.00 N    148 15.20 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Perry I.\7\                    Gulf of       60 44.00 N    147 54.60 W   ...........  ...........  .............
                                Alaska
The Needle\7\                  Gulf of       60 06.64 N    147 36.17 W   ...........  ...........  .............
                                Alaska
Point Eleanor\7\               Gulf of       60 35.00 N    147 34.00 W   ...........  ...........  .............
                                Alaska
Wooded I. (Fish I.)            Gulf of       59 52.90 N    147 20.65 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Glacier Island\7\              Gulf of       60 51.30 N    147 14.50 W   ...........  ...........  .............
                                Alaska
Seal Rocks (Cordova)\10\       Gulf of       60 09.78 N    146 50.30 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Cape Hinchinbrook\10\          Gulf of       60 14.00 N    146 38.50 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Middleton I.                   Gulf of       59 28.30 N    146 18.80 W   ...........  ...........  10
                                Alaska
Hook Point\10\                 Gulf of       60 20.00 N    146 15.60 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
Cape St. Elias                 Gulf of       59 47.50 N    144 36.20 W   ...........  ...........  20
                                Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Where two sets of coordinates are given, the baseline extends in a clock-wise direction from the first set of
  geographic coordinates along the shoreline at mean lower-low water to the second set of coordinates. Where
  only one set of coordinates is listed, that location is the base point.
\2\Closures as stated in 50 CFR 679.22(a)(7)(iv), (a)(8)(ii) and (b)(2)(ii).
\3\This site lies within the Bogoslof area (BA). The BA consists of all waters of area 518 as described in
  Figure 1 of this part south of a straight line connecting 55[deg]00' N/170[deg]00' W, and 55[deg]00' N/
  168[deg]11'4.75'' W. Closure to directed fishing for pollock around Uliaga and Kagamil is 20 nm for waters
  west of 170[deg] W long. and 10 nm for waters east of 170[deg] W long.
\4\The trawl closure between 0 nm to 10 nm is effective from January 20 through May 31. Trawl closure between 0
  nm to 3 nm is effective from August 25 through November 1.
\5\Trawl closure between 0 nm to 15 nm is effective from January 20 through May 31. Trawl closure between 0 nm
  to 20 nm is effective from August 25 to November 1.
\6\Restriction area includes only waters of the Gulf of Alaska Area.
\7\Contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for fishery restrictions at these sites.
\8\No-fishing zones are the waters between 0 nm and the nm specified in column 7 around each site and within the
  BA.
\9\This site is located in the Bering Sea Pollock Restriction Area, closed to pollock trawling during the A
  season. This area consists of all waters of the Bering Sea subarea south of a line connecting the points
  163[deg]0'00'' W long./55[deg]46'30'' N lat., 165[deg]08'00'' W long./54[deg]42'9'' N lat., 165[deg]40'00''
  long./54[deg]26'30'' N lat., 166[deg]12'00'' W long./54[deg]18'40'' N lat., and 167[deg]0'00'' W long./
  54[deg]8'50'' N lat.
\10\The 20 nm closure around this site is effective in federal waters outside of State of Alaska waters of
  Prince William Sound.
\11\Some or all of the restricted area is located in the Seguam Foraging area (SFA) which is closed to all gears
  types. The SFA is established as all waters within the area between 52[deg] N lat. and 53[deg] N lat. and
  between 173[deg]30' W long. and 172[deg]30' W long.
\12\The 3 nm trawl closure around Puale Bay and the 20 nm trawl closure around Cape Douglas/Shaw I. are
  effective January 20 through May 31. The 10 nm trawl closure around Puale Bay and the 10 nm trawl closure
  around Cape Douglas/Shaw I. are effective August 25 through November 1.


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[FR Doc. 04-27698 Filed 12-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


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