[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32048-32049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15362]



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

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


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
the Gulf of Alaska Statistical Area 620

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for pollock in Statistical 
Area 620 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 Gulf of 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 H of 
50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The final specification of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of 
the GOA was established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of 
Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997) as 31,250 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 620 is 
7,231 mt. As of May 24, 1997, 9,556 mt of pollock has been harvested 
from Statistical Area 620. 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 620 soon will 
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 7,031 mt, and is

[[Page 32049]]

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 
closing directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 June 9, 
1997, until 1200 hrs, 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 the 1997 second seasonal allowance of TAC for 
pollock in Statistical Area 620. The fleet will soon take the second 
seasonal 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. 97-15362 Filed 6-9-97; 10:26 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F