[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 142 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 39783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19458]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 071897B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch 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 retention of Pacific ocean perch in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of Pacific ocean perch in this area be treated in the same 
manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of 
injury. This action is necessary because the Pacific ocean perch 1997 
total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 19, 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 1997 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area 
of the GOA was established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of 
Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997) as 5,352 metric 
tons (mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1997 TAC for Pacific ocean perch 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, 
NMFS is requiring that further catches of Pacific ocean perch in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

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 Pacific ocean perch in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA; therefore, providing notice and 
opportunity for public comment is impracticable and contrary to public 
interest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this 
action cannot be delayed for 30 days. The fleet has already taken the 
TAC for Pacific ocean perch. Further delay would only result in 
overharvest and disrupt the FMP's objective of allowing incidental 
catch to be retained throughout the year. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(1), a delay in the effective date is hereby waived.
    This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: July 18, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-19458 Filed 7-21-97; 10:40 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P