[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 50888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25670]



[[Page 50888]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961126334-7052-02; I.D. 092297D]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker/
Rougheye Rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of 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 retention of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 
in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is 
requiring that catches of shortraker/rougheye rockfish 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 1997 
total allowable catch (TAC) of shortraker/rougheye rockfish in this 
area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 23, 
1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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 1997 TAC of shortraker/rougheye rockfish in the Eastern 
Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as 460 metric tons by the 
Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 
8179, February 24, 1997). See 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 shortraker/rougheye 
rockfish in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. 
Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of shortraker/
rougheye rockfish in the Eastern 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 shortraker/rougheye rockfish in 
the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. Providing prior notice and an 
opportunity for public comment for this action is impracticable and 
contrary to public interest. The fleet has taken the 1997 TAC for 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish. Further delay would only result in 
overharvest and disrupt the FMP's objective of not exceeding the TAC 
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 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 23, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-25670 Filed 9-23-97; 4:59 pm]
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