[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 198 (Thursday, October 10, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 53153-53154] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-25967] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 960129019-6019-01; I.D. 100296G] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements; Pacific Ocean Perch and ``Other Red Rockfish'' in the Bering Sea Subarea AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Modification of a closure; notice of change in recordkeeping and reporting requirements. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the Bering Sea subarea (BS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). NMFS has determined that Daily Production Reports (DPRs) must be submitted by processor vessels using trawl gear that catch or receive Pacific ocean perch or ``other red rockfish'' and shoreside processing facilities that receive Pacific ocean perch or ``other red rockfish'' from vessels using trawl gear in the BS. These actions are necessary to fully utilize the total allowable catches (TACs) of Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in that area and to prevent exceeding the TACs for those species and species groups. EFFECTIVE DATE: From 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 6, 1996, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1996. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone is managed by NMFS 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 subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii), the initial TACs for Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS were established by the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4311, February 5, 1996) as 1,530 metric tons (mt) and 1,071 mt, respectively. The Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish also closed the directed fishery for Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii). The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has determined that the 1996 directed fishing allowances of Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS have not been reached. NMFS has determined that as of September 21, 1996, 1,228 mt of Pacific ocean perch in the BS and 902 mt of the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS remain in the respective directed fishing allowances. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is reopening directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS. All other closures remain in full force and effect. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(2), the remainder of the TACs for Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS will become available for directed fishing at 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 6, 1996. These remaining TACs are expected to be rapidly harvested. Pursuant to Sec. 679.5(j), the Regional Director is requiring processor vessels using trawl gear that catch or receive Pacific ocean perch and ``other red rockfish'' in the BS and shoreside processing facilities that receive Pacific ocean perch and ``other red rockfish'' from vessels using trawl gear as defined at Sec. 679.2 in the BS to submit DPRs in addition to Weekly Production Reports. These requirements are necessary to manage Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS. The Regional Director is doing so in consideration of the potential for exceeding the TACs of Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species group in the BS. [[Page 53154]] DPRs must include all information required by Sec. 679.5(j)(4) for groundfish harvested from the applicable reporting areas. Processors must submit the required information on the ``Alaska Groundfish Processor Daily Production Report'' form that was distributed to participants in the groundfish fishery with their 1996 Federal fisheries permit. The form also may be obtained from the Regional Director by calling Mary Furuness at 907-586-7228. Processors must transmit completed DPRs to the Regional Director by facsimile transmission to number (907) 586-7131, no later than 12 hours after the end of the day the groundfish was processed. If and when the Regional Director determines that these reports are no longer necessary, he may terminate the requirement. This determination will be published in the Federal Register. Criteria used to assess the need for the reports include the stability of effort and harvest rates in the fishery, and remaining amounts. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds that reasons justifying promulgation of this action also make it impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide notice and opportunity for prior comment or to delay for 30 days its effective date. Intense fishing effort without DPRs could result in industry's exceeding these allocations. Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 4, 1996. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-25967 Filed 10-04-96; 4:17 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F