[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4774]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960502124-6190-02; I.D. 022097B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Scallop 
Fishery; District 16 of Registration Area D

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the scallop fishery in District 16 of Scallop 
Registration Area D (Yakutat). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the scallop 1997 total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 23, 
1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., June 30, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scallop fishery in the exclusive 
economic zone off Alaska is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery Off Alaska (FMP), which was 
prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Fishing for scallops is governed by regulations appearing at 
subpart F of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.62(b), the 1997 scallop TAC for 
District 16 of Scallop Registration Area D (Yakutat), was established 
by the Final 1996-97 Harvest Specifications of Scallops (61 FR 38099, 
July 23, 1996) as 35,000 lb (15,880 kg) shucked meat.
    In accordance with 679.62(c), the Administrator, Alaska Region, 
NMFS, has determined that the scallop TAC for District 16 of Scallop 
Registration Area D (Yakutat), has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting the taking and retention of scallops in District 16 of 
Scallop Registration Area D (Yakutat).

Classification

    This action is required by Sec. 679.62 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: February 20, 1997.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-4774 Filed 2-21-97; 4:51 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F