[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 112 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15591]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 060598A]


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: Modification of a closure.

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

DATES: DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time, June 8, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

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). The Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), established a directed fishing 
allowance of 7,478 mt and set aside the remaining 500 mt as bycatch in 
support of other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with 
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator found that the 
directed fishing allowance would soon be reached and NMFS closed the 
directed fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA on June 
3, 1998 (63 FR 30644, June 5, 1998).
    As of June 4, 1998, NMFS has determined that 3,000 mt remain in the 
directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous 
closure and is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 
610 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., June 8, 1998.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect.

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to fully 
utilize 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 
underharvest. 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 8, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15591 Filed 6-8-98; 4:50 pm]
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