[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1268]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 90899-0015; I.D. 120893B]

 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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

ACTION: Change in observer coverage.

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SUMMARY: NMFS requires the operators of catcher or processor vessels 
equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) and less 
than 125 feet (38.1) LOA to have a NMFS-certified observer on board the 
vessel each day it is used to participate in a directed fishery for 
groundfish in statistical area 517 during the period that the 1994 
directed fishery is open for Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to collect 
further information on prohibited species bycatch rates experienced by 
vessels fishing in this area for purposes of assessing current and 
future bycatch management measures. It is intended to carry out the 
goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish 
Fishery of the BSAI (FMP).

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 13, 1994, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ellen R. Varosi, Fishery Biologist, Fisheries Management Division, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, (907) 586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the 
FMP prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) 
under authority of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Fishing by U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing 
the FMP at 50 CFR parts 620 and 675.
    At its September 1993 meeting, the Council recommended that the 
Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), require an 
increase in observer coverage for catcher or processor vessels, as 
defined in Sec. 675.2, equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) length 
overall (LOA) and less than 125 feet (38.1 m) LOA that are used to 
participate in a directed fishery for groundfish in statistical area 
517 during the period that the 1994 directed fishery is open for 
Pacific cod in the BSAI management area (BSAI). NMFS published the 
Council's recommended change in observer coverage requirements in the 
Federal Register (58 FR 65574, December 15, 1993) for public review and 
comment. The comment period ended on December 27, 1993, and no comments 
were received. Upon reviewing the reasons for the recommended change in 
observer coverage requirements, the Regional Director has determined 
that this action is necessary for fishery conservation and management 
and implements the Council's recommendation of observer coverage 
requirements. Therefore, the operators of catcher or processor vessels 
equal to or greater than 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) and less 
than 125 feet (38.1 m) LOA must have a NMFS-certified observer on board 
the vessel each day that it is used to participate in a directed 
fishery for groundfish in statistical area 517 during the period that 
the 1994 directed fishery is open for Pacific cod in the BSAI. Catcher 
vessels only delivering unsorted cod-ends are exempt from this 
increased observer coverage requirement. Requirements for observer 
coverage are contained in Sec. 675.25. This action implements a change 
in those coverage requirements as authorized under Sec. 675.25(c)(1)(i) 
and is necessary to effectively monitor prohibited species bycatch 
rates experienced by vessels in the 60 (18.3 m) through 124 feet (37.8 
m) LOA category and to identify specific locations with high bycatch 
rates in statistical area 517. This information will be used to help 
assess future management bycatch measures.
    Further explanation of the reasons for this change in observer 
coverage requirements are contained in the December 15, 1993, Federal 
Register notice.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.25.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), has 
determined, under section 553(d) (3) of the Administrative Procedure 
Act, that good cause exists for waiving the 30-day delayed 
effectiveness period for this action. The directed fishery for Pacific 
cod using hook-and-line gear began on January 1 and the trawl fishery 
begins on January 20, 1994. The objectives for increased observer 
coverage for vessels equal to or greater than 60 feet LOA will be 
jeopardized if a delay in the effective date exceeds the opening dates 
for the 1994 Pacific cod fisheries. Additional coverage is necessary 
during this period to collect more comprehensive data on prohibited 
species bycatch rates experienced by the small boat fleet. This 
information will be used to help assess future bycatch management 
measures, and to identify specific areas with high bycatch rates in 
statistical area 517. Therefore, the AA is waiving the 30-day delayed 
effectiveness period for these changes to observer coverage 
requirements.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 675

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: January 13, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-1268 Filed 1-13-94; 2:38 pm]
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