[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57340-57341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28481]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 102996B]


Scallop Fishery Off Alaska; Shelikof District of Registration 
Area K

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

ACTION: Closure; inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the fishery for scallops in the Shelikof 
District of Registration Area K to prevent localized overfishing of 
scallops in that District. This action is necessary to prevent 
overfishing of scallops. It is intended to promote the goals and 
objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off 
Alaska.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 31, 
1996, through 2359 hrs, A.l.t., June 30, 1997. Comments must be 
received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., 
November 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries 
Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 
99802, Attn: Lori Gravel, or be delivered to the fourth floor of the 
Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK.

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


[[Page 57341]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scallop fishery off Alaska in the 
exclusive economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery Off 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 
F of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 1996 TAC for scallops in Registration Area K, which includes 
the Shelikof District, was established by the 1996-97 Harvest 
Specifications (61 FR 38099, July 23, 1996) as 400,000 lb (181.4 mt) of 
shucked scallop meat. As of October 13, 1996, 200,000 lb (90.7 mt) of 
shucked scallop meat have been landed from the Shelikof District.
    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries 
Management and Development Division, has monitored the scallop fishery 
in the Shelikof District since the fishery opened on August 1, 1996. 
Harvest rates of scallops have declined by 50 percent, indicating that 
fishing mortality is exceeding the biologically acceptable catch in the 
Shelikof District.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Sec. 679.63(a), Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i) and 
Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(i)(A), that on the basis of the best available 
scientific information, the closure of the scallop season within the 
Shelikof District is necessary to prevent overfishing of this stock of 
scallops. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting the taking and retention of 
scallops in the Federal waters of the Shelikof District.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good 
cause that providing prior notice and public comment or delaying the 
effective date of this action is impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. Immediate effectiveness is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the TAC for scallops in the Shelikof District of Registration 
Area K. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(ii), interested persons are invited to 
submit written comments on this action (see ADDRESSES) until November 
18, 1996.

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 679.63 and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: October 31, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28481 Filed 11-1-96; 9:20 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F