[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38943-38944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19049]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 071597B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska, Offshore 
Pelagic Shelf Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for offshore pelagic 
shelf rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the offshore 
pelagic shelf rockfish total allowable catch (TAC) in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 15, 1997, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.

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

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 offshore pelagic shelf rockfish TAC in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the Gulf of Alaska was established by the Final 1997 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 
1997) as 3,320 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with 
Sec. 679.20 (c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20 (d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the offshore 
pelagic shelf rockfish TAC in the Central Regulatory Area will soon be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 3,100 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 220 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 
offshore pelagic shelf rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the 
GOA.
    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 TAC for offshore pelagic shelf rockfish 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Providing prior notice and 
an opportunity for public comment on this action is impracticable and 
contrary to public interest. The fleet will soon take the directed 
fishing allowance for offshore pelagic shelf rockfish. Further delay 
would only result in overharvest and disrupt the FMP's objective of 
allowing incidental catch to be retained throughout the year. NMFS 
finds for good cause that the implementation of

[[Page 38944]]

this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d), 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: July 15, 1997.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-19049 Filed 7-16-97; 9:28 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F