[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 12 (Friday, January 17, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 2656] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-1154] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [ID 100996A] RIN 0648-AI63 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendments 44/44; Definition of Overfishing AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Approval of fishery management plan amendments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces the approval of Amendments 44/44 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMPs). These amendments revise definitions of acceptable biological catch (ABC) and overfishing levels (OFLs) for groundfish species or species groups. This action is necessary to ensure that conservation and management measures continue to be based upon the best scientific information available and is intended to advance the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council's) ability to achieve, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from fisheries under its authority. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 9, 1997. ADDRESSES: Copies of Amendments 44/44 and the environmental assessment and related economic analaysis prepared for the proposed action are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252; telephone 907-271- 2809. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Hale, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In response to the national standards established in the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act and advisory guidelines codified at 50 CFR part 600, subpart D, the Council developed an objective and measurable definition of overfishing and, in 1991, implemented that definition under Amendments 16 and 21 to the FMPs (56 FR 2700, January 24, 1991). In the years since implementation of that definition, fishery scientists have had the opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of current definitions of ABC and overfishing. In light of that experience and with increased understanding of the reference fishing mortality rates used to define ABCs and overfishing, fishery scientists have raised several concerns about the present definitions and the extent to which they reflect and account for levels of uncertainty about fish populations. Consequently, NMFS' Overfishing Definitions Review Panel and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee recommended redefining ABC and overfishing to facilitate more conservative, risk-averse management measures when stock size and mortality rates are not fully known. Amendments 44/44 revise the definitions of OFL and ABC consistent with these recommendations. A Notice of Availability of Amendments 44/44, which describes the proposed amendments and solicited comments from the public until December 10, 1996, was published in the Federal Register (October 17, 1996; 61 FR 54145). One comment was received in support of the amendments. After review under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), NMFS determined that Amendments 44/44 are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws and approved Amendments 44/44 on January 9, 1997. Additional information on this action is contained in the October 17, 1996, Notice of Availability (61 FR 54145). No regulatory changes are necessary to implement these FMP amendments. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 10, 1997. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-1154 Filed 1-16-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F