38340 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 136 /Thursday, July 16, 1998 /Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 285

[I.D. 071098I]

Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Atlantic

Bluefin Tuna Fishery

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Catch limit adjustment.

SUMMARY: NMFS adjusts the daily catch

limit for the Angling category fishery for

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (BFT) in all areas

to one fish from the large school or

small medium size class per vessel. The

intent of this action is to ensure

reasonable fishing opportunities

without risking overharvest of the quota

established for the Angling category

fishery.

DATES: Effective 1:00 a.m. local time on

July 16, 1998, through December 31,

1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sarah McLaughlin, 301–713–2347, or

Mark Murray-Brown, 978–281–9260.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations implemented under the

authority of the Atlantic Tunas

Convention Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.)

governing the harvest of BFT by persons

and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction

are found at 50 CFR part 285.

Implementing regulations for the

Atlantic tuna fisheries at § 285.24 allow

for adjustments to the daily catch limits

in order to provide for maximum

utilization of the quota spread over the

longest possible period of time. The

Assistant Administrator for Fisheries,

NOAA (AA) may increase or reduce the

per angler catch limit for any size class

BFT or may change the per angler limit

to a per boat limit or a per boat limit to

a per angler limit.

NMFS previously adjusted the

southern area (south of 38°47’ N. lat.)

daily catch limit to one fish per angler,

with a maximum of three fish per

vessel, from the school size class and

one fish per vessel from the large school

or small medium size class (63 FR

35161, June 29, 1998). The duration of

the catch limit adjustment was specified

as the period of June 26 through July 27,

1998. However, NMFS indicated that an

interim closure or additional catch limit

adjustment may be necessary to enhance

scientific data collection from all

geographic areas, and that such action

would be announced through

publication in the Federal Register.

Based on information collected by

NMFS through dockside and telephone

surveys and through the Automated

Catch Reporting System (reported

landings and estimated fishing effort),

NMFS has determined that recent catch

rates in the last few weeks are

considerably higher than those for the

same time period in 1997, which formed

the basis for the previous catch limit

adjustment. Therefore, NMFS has

determined that an additional catch

limit adjustment is warranted for all

areas, i.e., north and south of 38°47’ N.

lat. The catch limit for all areas is

adjusted as follows: No more than one

BFT from the large school or small

medium size class (measuring 47 to less

than 73 inches) may be retained each

day per Angling category vessel. This

daily catch limit adjustment is effective

July 16 through December 31, 1998, or

until further notice.

Additional adjustments to the daily

catch limit or closures, if any, shall be

announced through publication in the

Federal Register. In addition, anglers

may call the Atlantic Tunas Information

Line at 888–USA-TUNA (888–872–

8862), 301–713–1279, or 978–281–9305

for updates on quota monitoring and

catch limit adjustments.

Anglers aboard Charter/Headboat

vessels, when engaged in recreational

fishing for school, large school, and

small medium BFT, are subject to the

same rules as anglers aboard Angling

category vessels. All BFT landed under

the Angling category quota outside of

North Carolina must be reported within

24 hours of landing to the NMFS

Automated Catch Reporting System by

phoning 888–USA-TUNA (888–872–

8862), or in North Carolina, to a

reporting station. For information about

the North Carolina Harvest Tagging

Program, including reporting station

locations, call 800–338–7804.

The fishery for large medium and

giant BFT (measuring 73 inches or

greater) is not affected by this closure

and remains open in all areas until

further notice, subject to the trophy fish

limit of one-per-vessel-per-year. Anglers

should verify that the trophy category

remains open by calling the Atlantic

Tunas Information Line prior to each

fishing trip. In addition, anglers may

continue to tag and release BFT of all

sizes under the NMFS tag-and-release

program (50 CFR 285.27).

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR

285.24(d)(3) and is exempt from review

under E.O. 12866.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.

Dated: July 10, 1998.

Gary C. Matlock,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,

National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98–18930 Filed 7–13–98; 10:01 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297–8054–02; I.D.

071098D]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic

Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch

in the Central Regulatory Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed

fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the

Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of

Alaska management area (GOA). This

action is necessary to fully utilize the

1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of

Pacific ocean perch in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local

time (A.l.t.), July 12, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Smoker, 907–586–7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS

manages the groundfish fishery in the

GOA exclusive economic zone

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 MagnusonStevens 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 § 679.20(c)(3)(ii),

the Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of

Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027,

March 12, 1998) established the amount

of the 1998 TAC of Pacific ocean perch

in the Central Regulatory Area of the

Gulf of Alaska 6,600 metric tons (mt).

The Administrator, Alaska Region,

NMFS (Regional Administrator), has

established a directed fishing allowance

of 5,600 mt, and set aside the remaining

1,000 mt as bycatch to support other

anticipated groundfish fisheries. The

fishery for Pacific ocean perch in the

Central Regulatory Area of the GOA was

closed to directed fishing under

§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on July 6, 1998, (63 FR

37071, July 9, 1998).
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 136 /Thursday, July 16, 1998 /Rules and Regulations 38341

NMFS has determined that as of July

9, 1998, 2,000 mt remain in the directed

fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is

terminating the previous closure and is

opening directed fishing for Pacific

ocean perch in the Central Regulatory

Area of the GOA.

Classification

All other closures remain in full force

and effect. This action responds to the

best available information recently

obtained from the fishery. It must be

implemented immediately in order to

allow full utilization of the Pacific

ocean perch TAC. Providing prior notice

and opportunity for public comment for

this action is impracticable and contrary

to the public interest. Further delay

would only disrupt the FMP objective of

providing the Pacific ocean perch TAC

for harvest. 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 § 679.20

and is exempt from review under E.O.

12866.

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

Dated: July 10, 1998.

Gary C. Matlock,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,

National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98–18893 Filed 7–10–98; 4:48 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297–8054–02; I.D.

071098A]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic

Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch

in the Eastern Regulatory Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed

fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the

Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of

Alaska management area (GOA). This

action is necessary to fully utilize the

1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of

Pacific ocean perch in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local

time (A.l.t.), July 12, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Smoker, 907–586–7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS

manages the groundfish fishery in the

GOA exclusive economic zone

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 MagnusonStevens 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 § 679.20(c)(3)(ii),

the Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of

Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027,

March 12, 1998) established the amount

of the 1998 TAC of Pacific ocean perch

in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the

Gulf of Alaska as 2,366 metric tons (mt).

The Administrator, Alaska Region,

NMFS (Regional Administrator), has

established a directed fishing allowance

of 2,116 mt, and set aside the remaining

250 mt as bycatch to support other

anticipated groundfish fisheries. The

fishery for Pacific ocean perch in the

Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA was

closed to directed fishing under

§ 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on July 6, 1998, (63 FR

37071, July 9, 1998).

NMFS has determined that as of July

9, 1998, 1,900 mt remain in the directed

fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is

terminating the previous closure and is

opening directed fishing for Pacific

ocean perch in the Eastern Regulatory

Area of the GOA.

Classification

All other closures remain in full force

and effect. This action responds to the

best available information recently

obtained from the fishery. It must be

implemented immediately in order to

allow full utilization of the Pacific

ocean perch TAC. Providing prior notice

and opportunity for public comment for

this action is impracticable and contrary

to the public interest. Further delay

would only disrupt the FMP objective of

providing the Pacific ocean perch TAC

for harvest. 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 § 679.20

and is exempt from review under E.O.

12866.

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

Dated: July 10, 1998.

Gary C. Matlock,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,

National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98–18892 Filed 7–10–98; 4:48pm]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297–8054–02; I.D.

071098C]

Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive

Zone Off Alaska; ‘‘Other Rockfish’’

Species Group in the Eastern

Regulatory Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed

fishing for the ‘‘other rockfish’’ species

group in the Eastern Regulatory Area of

the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is

necessary to fully utilize the total

allowable catch (TAC) of ‘‘other

rockfish’’ in that area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska

local time (A.l.t.), July 12, 1998, until

2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Smoker, 907–586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS

manages the groundfish fishery in the

GOA exclusive economic zone

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 MagnusonStevens 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 § 679.20(c)(3)(ii),

the Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of

Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027,

March 12, 1998) established the amount

of the 1998 TAC of ‘‘other rockfish’’ in

the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf

of Alaska as 1,500 metric tons (mt). The

Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of

Groundfish for the GOA also closed

directed fishing for ‘‘other rockfish’’ in

the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA

(see § 679.20(d)(1)(iii)) in anticipation

that the TAC would be needed as

incidental catch to support other

anticipated groundfish fisheries during

1998.

The Regional Administrator has

determined that the entire TAC for

‘‘other rockfish’’ will not be needed as

incidental catch and is establishing a

directed fishing allowance of 1,400 mt

and is setting aside the remaining 100

mt as bycatch to support other

anticipated groundfish fisheries.