[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 174 (Friday, September 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22366]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 9, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 072894A]

 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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

ACTION: Apportionment of reserve.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is apportioning reserve to certain target species in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to allow for ongoing harvest and account for previous harvest 
of the total allowable catch (TAC).

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 8, 1994, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the U.S. BSAI 
exclusive economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce 
according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP) prepared by the North 
Pacific Fishery Management 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.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the initial 
TACs specified for sablefish in the Bering Sea subarea (BS), for 
sablefish and the sharpchin/northern rockfish species category in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea (AI), and for Atka mackerel in the Central and 
Western Aleutian Districts, need to be supplemented from the non-
specific reserve in order to continue operations and account for prior 
harvest. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(b), NMFS is 
apportioning from the reserve to TACs for the following species: (1) 
For the BS - 81 metric tons (mt) to sablefish; (2) for the AI - 420 mt 
to sablefish, and 850 mt to the sharpchin/northern rockfish species 
category; (3) for the Central Aleutian District - 6,679 mt to Atka 
mackerel; and (4) for the Western Aleutian District - 1,500 mt to Atka 
mackerel.
    These apportionments are consistent with Sec. 675.20(a)(2)(i) and 
do not result in overfishing of a target species or the ``other 
species'' category because the revised TACs are equal to or less than 
specifications of acceptable biological catch.
    Pursuant to Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(i) the apportionment of the BS 
sablefish is allocated 41 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot 
gear, and 40 mt to vessels using trawl gear. Pursuant to 
Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(ii) the apportionment of the AI sablefish is 
allocated 315 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear, and 105 mt 
to vessels using trawl gear.
    This apportionment was proposed in the Federal Register at 59 FR 
39725, August 4, 1994, requesting public comment. The public comment 
period ended on August 19, 1994. No comments were received.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.
    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 rule. Fisheries are currently taking 
place that will be benefited by this rule. Delaying the effective date 
would be disruptive and costly to these ongoing operations. Therefore, 
the AA is waiving the 30- day delayed effectiveness period for this 
action so that it may be effective immediately.

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

    Dated: September 2, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22366 Filed 9-8-94; 8:45 am]
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