[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30644-30645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15029]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 052998A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 610

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of 
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 3, 1998, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, 907-486-6919.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of 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 H of 
50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical 
Area 610 was established by the Final 1998 Harvest Specifications (63 
FR 12027, March 12, 1998) as 7,978 metric tons (mt), determined in 
accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second 
seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 will be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 7,478 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 500 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish 
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional

[[Page 30645]]

Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance has been 
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock 
in Statistical Area 610 until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1998.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the second seasonal TAC limitations and 
other restrictions on the fisheries. It must be implemented immediately 
to prevent overharvesting the second seasonal apportionment of pollock 
TAC in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA. A delay in the effective date 
is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay 
would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the 
implementation of this action should not 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: June 1, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15029 Filed 6-2-98; 4:53 pm]
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