[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15359]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 053097C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting the directed fishery for pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal allowance of total 
allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 9, 1997, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish of the GOA (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 H of 50 CFR 600 
and 50 CFR part 679.
    The final specification of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of 
the GOA was established by Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of 
Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997) as 24,550 metric 
tons (mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(A). In 
accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(B) and 
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(B)(2), the second seasonal allowance of pollock 
TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 5,265 mt. As of May 24, 1997, 8,754 mt 
of pollock has been harvested from Statistical Area 630. This amount 
represents a combination of the amounts taken during the first season 
and into the second.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second 
seasonal allowance of TAC for pollock in Statistical Area 630 soon will 
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 5,065 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish 
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be 
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock 
in Statistical Area 630 from June 9, 1997, until 1200 hours, A.l.t., 
September 1, 1997.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting of the 1997 second seasonal allowance of TAC for 
pollock in Statistical Area 630. The fleet will soon take the second 
seasonal directed fishing allowance of TAC for pollock. Further delay 
would only result in overharvest which would disrupt the FMP's 
objective of apportioning seasonal pollock harvests throughout the 
year. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action 
cannot be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), a 
delay in the effective date is hereby waived.
    This action is required by 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: June 6, 1997.
Rebecca Lent,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15359 Filed 6-9-97; 10:26 am]
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