[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 157 (Thursday, August 14, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21534]



[[Page 43486]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 970613138-7138-01; I.D. 080797B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Scallop 
Fishery; Shelikof District of Registration Area K

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

ACTION: Closure; inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the fishery for scallops in the Shelikof 
District of Registration Area K to prevent localized overfishing of 
scallops in that District. This action is necessary to prevent 
overfishing of scallops. It is intended to promote the goals and 
objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off 
Alaska.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 10, 1997, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., June 30, 1998. Comments must be received at the 
following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., August 29, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Chief, Fisheries Management 
Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, 
Attn. Lori Gravel, or delivered to the fourth floor of the Federal 
Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scallop fishery off Alaska in the 
exclusive economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery Off 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 
F of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 1997 total allowable catch for scallops in Registration Area K, 
which includes the Shelikof District, was established by the 1997-98 
Harvest Specifications (62 FR 34182, June 25, 1997) as 400,000 lb 
(181.4 mt) of shucked scallop meat. As of August 3, 1997, 223,000 lb 
(101.15 mt) of shucked scallop meat have been landed from the Shelikof 
District.
    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries 
Management and Development Division, has monitored the scallop fishery 
in the Shelikof District of Registration Area K since the fishery 
opened on July 1, 1997. Harvest rates of scallops have declined by 20 
percent, indicating that fishing mortality is exceeding the 
biologically acceptable catch in the Shelikof District.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Sec. 679.63(a), Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i) and 
Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(i)(A), that on the basis of the best available 
scientific information, the closure of the scallop season within the 
Shelikof District of Registration Area K is necessary to prevent 
overfishing of this stock of scallops. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting 
the taking and retention of scallops in the Federal waters of the 
Shelikof District of Registration Area K.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good 
cause that providing prior notice and public comment on this action is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Immediate 
effectiveness is necessary to prevent overfishing the stock of scallops 
in the Shelikof District of Registration Area K. Accordingly, under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is hereby waived.
    This action is required by Sec. 679.63 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 8, 1997
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-21534 Filed 8-11-97; 12:13 pm]
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