[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19792]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 961107312-7021-02; I.D. 072297D]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Greenland
Turbot in the Bering Sea Subarea
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Greenland turbot in the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catch of Greenland turbot 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
Greenland turbot 1997 total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been
reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 23, 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 BSAI exclusive
economic zone is managed by the NMFS according to the Fishery
Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Bering
Sea Area (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 Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea was
established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for
the BSAI (62 FR 7168, February 18, 1997) and subsequent reserve
apportionment (62 FR 31369, June 9, 1997) as 6,030 metric tons (mt).
See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1997 TAC for Greenland turbot in
the Bering Sea subarea has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring
that further catches of Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea 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 Greenland turbot in the Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI. Providing prior notice and an opportunity for
public comment on this action is impracticable and contrary to public
interest. The fleet has already taken the directed fishing allowance
for Greenland turbot. 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 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 Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 22, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-19792 Filed 7-23-97; 4:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F